Head and Neck Flashcards
Integument
skin, hair, and nails
Macule
circumscribed, flat spot
e.g. freckle
Papule
circumscribed, elevated solid lesion, up to 0.5 cm in diameter
e.g. small nevus (mole)
Nodule
circumscribed, elevated solid lesion, greater than 0.5 cm but less than 1 cm
Tumor (related to derm)
circumscribed, elevated solid lesion greater than 1 cm
Vesicle
circumscribed, elevated, fluid filled lesion up to 0.5 cm in diameter (tiny blister)
e.g. herpes
Bulla
circumscribed, elevated, fluid filled lesion greater than 0.5 cm in diameter
Pustule
circumscribed, elevated lesion containing pus
e.g. acne pimple
Wheal
Irregular, superficial area of localized skin edema. It is elevated but flat topped
e.g. hive
Erosion
Loss of superficial epidermis
Ulcer
Loss of epidermis extending into dermis
Fissure
Linear crack in the skin
e.g. common with chronic contact dermatitis of the hands
Crust
Dried residue of serum, pus, or blood
e.g. scab
Scale
Thin flake of exfoliated epidermis
e.g. psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis of scalp “dandruff”
Lichenification
Thickened, roughened skin. Exaggerated skin creases (elephant skin)
e.g. lichen simplex chronicles (neurodermatitis)
Excoriation
Scratch mark. Note: this is a physical finding (A SIGN) whereas pruritus (itching) is what the patient complains of (A SYMPTOM)