Exam 1 Flashcards
Primary Skin Lesions
Arise de novo in the skin Represents initial cutaneous pathologic changes Uncomplicated lesions Uninfluenced by secondary alterations- Progression of the disease; Scratching; Infection
Macule
circumscribed change in skin color without elevation or depression of the surface; < 1 cm in diameter Examples: erythema; purpura; café au lait; vitiligo; freckles; flat moles (nevi); petechiae; measles; scarlet fever
Patches
a flat, nonpalpable irregular shaped macule > 1 cm in diameter Examples – Vitiligo; port-wine stains; Mongolian spots; café au lait patch
Papules
solid, elevated circumscribed area < 1 cm in diameter Implies pathologic involvement of: Epidermis – especially if there is scaling or disturbance of the normal surface of the epidermis Dermis – usually epidermal surface is normal but redness is present Examples – warts; molluscum contagiosum; lichen planus; elevated moles (nevi)
Nodules
solid, elevated circumscribed area similar to a papule but 1 to 2 cm in diameter and deeper in the dermis with visible elevation of the skin Implies pathologic involvement of Epidermis o may be associated with scale, erosion, and loss of skin markings • or Dermis o May be fluctuant (e.g. cyst) or firm (e.g. skin cancer) • Examples – cyst; basal cell carcinoma; erythema nodosum; lipoma
Tumors
elevated and solid lesion may or may not be clearly demarcated deeper in dermis > 2 cm in diameter Examples – neoplasms, benign tumors. lipomas
Plaques
elevated, firm, and rough lesion with flat top surface > 1 cm in diameter evolve from a confluence of papules Only slightly elevated relative to their large surface area Examples – psoriasis, urticaria, mycosis, fungoides, seborrheic and actinic keratoses
Vesicle
elevated, circumscribed, superficial, not into dermis filled with serous fluid < 1 cm in diameter Examples – varicella (chicken pox); herpes zoster (shingles); pemphigus; pemphigoid
Bullae
vesicle > 1 cm in diameter May evolve within the epidermis in which case the fluid is usually clear serous Lesions may be flaccid and break easily (thin roof) May evolve at the DEJ (thick roof) – lesions are tense may contain hemorrhagic fluid. Less likely to rupture. Examples – blister; pemphigus vulgaris
Pustule
elevated, superficial lesion; similar to vesicle but filled with purulent fluid. Examples – acne vulgaris, folliculitis, impetigo
Cyst
Elevated, circumscribed, encapsulated lesion; in dermis or subcutaneous layer; filled with liquid or semi-solid material. Examples - sebaceous cyst, cystic acne
Wheals
Special type of plaque A slight elevation caused by movement of fluid out of blood vessels Elevated, irregular-shaped area of cutaneous edema Solid, transient, variable diameter Examples – insect bites, allergic reaction, urticaria (hives)
Petechiae
pinpoint, nonraised, round, purplish red spots caused by intradermal of submucous hemorrhage
Purpura
Small hemorrhages in the skin, or mucous membranes
Ecchymoses
a hemorrhigic spot in the skin or mucous membrane forming a nonelevated, rounded or irregular, blue or purplish patch.
Telangiectasias
fine, irregular, red lines produced by capillary dilation
Arrangement of lesions
Isolated- MelanomaScattered- Pityriasis rosea, drug eruptionHerpetiform (Grouped vesicles)Zosteriform (dermatomal)Annular (Ring)LinearReticular
Distribution of lesions
-Generalized-Acral (Affecting extremities)-Intertriginous (apposed skin surfaces)-Palms and Soles-Lower Extremities-Extensor-Flexor-Circumscribes-Truncal-Hair Bearing-Mucus Membranes-Sites of pressure-Sites of trauma-Unilateral-Follicular
Secondary Skin Lesions
o Evolve from the preceding visible lesionso Changes occur because of: Progression of the disease Scratching (trauma) Infection Therapieso These may coexist with primary lesionso Some overlap exists with primary lesions
Scales
flakes composed of aggregates of shedding epidermal cells. Secondary Lesion
Crusts
-masses that result from drying exudates of serum, blood, sebum, or purulent material-Develop after vesicles or bullae break down to release their content. -Secondary Lesion
Ulcers
Loss of epidermis and dermis; concave; varies in size and depth-Area of skin where skin layers are missing
Fissures
-Linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis; may be moist or dry-Area of skin where skin layers are missing
Exoriations
-Loss of the epidermis; linear hollowed-out, crusted areas-Area of skin where skin layers are missing