Lesion Types, Shapes, and Patterns Flashcards
Patch
Flat Lesion
Similar to a macule, but quite large, OR slightly raised plaque
Macule
Flat Lesion
Any change in skin color that is not palpable.
(not raised or depressed)
Papule
Raised Lesion
Elevated, superficial, and solid lesion
<0.5 cm
Plaque
Raised Lesion
A plateau-like elevation, usually well defined.
Nodule
Raised Lesion
Solid, larger and often starting at a deeper level than a papule.
Wheals
Raised Lesion
Pink papules or plaques that change or disappear within hours
Comedones
Raised Lesion
Dilated and plugged hair follicles
Horn
Raised Lesion
Conical Mass
Scar
Raised Lesion
Proliferation of fibrous tissue that replaces normal collagen after a wound that breaches the dermis
Cyst
Fluid filled lesion
Encapsulated cavity containing fluid or semisolid material
Vesicle
Fluid filled lesion
Clear fluid filled cavity, <0.5 cm, often thinned roofed
Bulla (Blister)
Fluid filled lesion
Clear fluid filled cavity, >0.5 cm, often thinned roofed
Pustule
Fluid filled lesion
Cavity is filled with purulent exudate
Abscess
Fluid filled lesion
Accumulation of purulent material deep in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, often fluctuant
Erosion
Depressed Lesion
Loss of a portion of the epidermis, usually moist, won’t scar
Ulcer
Depressed Lesion
Loss of the epidermis and part of the dermis, heals with scarring
Atrophy
Depressed Lesion
Diminution of epidermal cells resulting in thinning, glossy, transparent, and wrinkled appearance
Poikiloderma
Depressed Lesion
Atrophy combined with pigmentary changes
Striae
Depressed Lesion
Linear depressions that occur from rapid stretching of the skin
Sclerosis
Depressed Lesion
A diffuse, slightly depressed, hardened area of skin
Scale
Lesions with Surface Changes
Flakes of skin
Crust
Lesions with Surface Changes
Develop when serum, blood, or purulent exudate dries on the skin surface
Excoriations
Lesions with Surface Changes
Surface excavations that result from scratching
Lichenification
Lesions with Surface Changes
Thickening of the epidermis and some changes in the dermis may be due to continual rubbing of the skin
Purpura
Vascular Lesions
Reddish-purple lesion that is non-blanchable, indicating blood having left the vessels and moving through other tissues
Petechiae
Vascular Lesions
Pinpoint purpura
Ecchymosis
Vascular Lesions
Large purpura; bruise
Telangiectasia
Vascular Lesions
Persistent dilations of small capillaries. May or may not be blanchable.
Angioma
Vascular Lesions
Benign tumor with blood vessels; some types blanch others don’t
Annular
ring-shaped; the edge differs from the center
round
also called nummular or discoid; coin-shaped
arcuate
arc-shaped
linear
resembling a straight line
reticular
net-like
targetoid
also called iris; has three distinct zones
Grouped
clustered together
scattered
irregularly distributed
dermatomal
lying in the distribution of a single spinal nerve root
sun exposed
also called photo distribution; occurs in areas usually not covered by clothing
sun protected
occurs in areas usually covered by clothing
acral
occurs on distal locations, such as hands and feet
truncal
occurs on central body
extensor
extensor surfaces of knees and elbows
flexor
flexor surfaces of knees and elbows
intertriginous
occurring in the skin folds
localized
confined to a single location
generalized
widespread
