Module 3: Head/Neck/Integument Terminology

Question 1

Integument

Answer 1

Hair, skin, nails

Question 2

Macule

Answer 2

Circumscribed, flat spot

e.g. freckle

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

Circumscribed, elevated solid lesion up to .5 cm in diameter

e.g. small nevus (mole)

Question 4

Nodule

Answer 4

Circumscribed, elevated, solid lesion, >0.5 cm but

Question 5

Tumor

Answer 5

Circumscribed, elevated, solid lesion >1 cm in diameter

Question 6

Vesicle

Answer 6

Circumscribed, elevated, fluid filled lesion up to 0.5 cm in diameter (tiny blister)
e.g. herpes

Question 7

Bulla

Answer 7

Circumscribed, elevated, fluid filled lesion >0.5 cm in diameter

Question 8

Pustule

Answer 8

Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing pus

e.g. acne pimple

Question 9

Wheal

Answer 9

Irregular, superficial area of localized skin edema; elevated but flat topped
e.g. hive

Question 10

Erosion

Answer 10

loss of superficial epidermis

Question 11

Ulcer

Answer 11

Loss of epidermis extending into dermis

Question 12

Fissure

Answer 12

Linear crack in the skin

e.g. common with chronic contact dermatitis of the hands

Question 13

Crust

Answer 13

Dried residue of serum, pus, or blood

e.g. scab

Question 14

Scale

Answer 14

Thin flake of exfoliated epidermis

e. g. psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis of scalp (“dandruff”)
(seborrheic: disease of sebaceous glands characterized by excessive secretion of sebum or an alteration in its quality)

Question 15

Lichenification

Answer 15

Thickened, roughened skin; exaggerated skin creases (elephant skin)
e.g. Lichen Simplex Chronicus (Neurodermatitis)

Question 16

Excoriation

Answer 16

Scratch mark
Note: an excoriation is a physical finding (a sign), whereas pruritus (itching) is what the patient complains of (symptom).

Question 17

Alopecia

Answer 17

Hair loss in many forms

Question 18

Exophthalmos

Answer 18

protruding eyeballs
e.g. Grave’s disease
(“ex-“ –> “out”)
(“ophthalmos” –> “eyes”)

Question 19

Endophthalmos

Answer 19

Sunken eyeballs

e.g. severe dehydration, “blow out” fracture

Question 20

Ptosis

Answer 20

Dropping of the upper eyelid

e.g. 3rd cranial nerve palsy, Horner’s Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis

Question 21

Ectropion

Answer 21

Margin of the lower eyelid is turned outward exposing the palpebral conjunctiva. Result is constant tearing
(“Ec” –> “out”)
(“tropion” –> “to turn”)

Question 22

Entropion

Answer 22

Margin of the lower lid turns inward

e.g. more commonly seen in elderly; eyelashes irritate the conjunctiva and cornea

Question 23

Exotropia

Answer 23

Temporal (lateral) deviation of the eye

e.g. “walleyed”

Question 24

Esotropia

Answer 24

Nasal (medial) deviation of the eye

e.g. “cross-eyed”

Question 25

Mydriasis

Answer 25

Dilated pupil

Question 26

Miosis

Answer 26

Constricted pupil

Question 27

Anisocoria

Answer 27

unequal pupils

Question 28

Microaneurysm

Answer 28

Tiny, round, red spots on the retina | e.g. diabetes mellitus (an aspect of diabetic retinopathy)

Question 29

Hemorrhages

Answer 29

Retinal hemorrhages can be flame-shaped or red streaks | e.g. hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy

Question 30

AV Nicking

Answer 30

An aspect of hypertensive retinopathy Arteriovenous nicking: arteriole is seen crossing a venule resulting in compression of venule with bulging on either side of the crossing

Question 31

Exudates

Answer 31

White or grayish spots on examination of the eye with irregular borders (cotton wool patches); creamy or yellowish with well-defined borders (waxy exudates) e. g. Cotton Wool –part. with hypertension e. g. Waxy Exudates ––part. with diabetes mellitus

Question 32

Tympanosclerosis

Answer 32

Chalk-like scarring on the tympanic membrane e.g. recurrent otitis media (infection of air-filled space behind ear drum - middle ear); PE tubes (pressure equalization tubes - tympanostomy tubes - keeps middle ear aerated for a period of time to prevent accumulation of fluid in middle ear)

Question 33

Erythema

Answer 33

Means redness - any place | e.g. Acute Otitis Media (AOM)

Question 34

Bulging of Tympanic Membrane

Answer 34

``` Outward bulging (as compared to inward retraction) e.g. AOM ```

Question 35

Retraction (of tympanic membrane)

Answer 35

Inward displacement of tympanic membrane | e.g. Prolonged Eustachian tube obstruction causing negative middle ear pressure

Question 36

Skeletalization (of tympanic membrane)

Answer 36

Marked retraction of TM over middle ear ossicles from significant negative middle ear pressure. Ossicles look quite pronounced - clearly visible

Question 37

Performation (of TM)

Answer 37

Hole in TM | e.g. Spontaneous due to AOM, head trauma or trauma from placing something in ear canal, from previous PE tube placement

Question 38

Nasal Septal Deviation

Answer 38

Typically is S-shaped | e.g. congenital or traumatic

Question 39

Aphthous ulcer

Answer 39

Small superficial ulceration of oral mucosa | e.g. "canker" sore

Question 40

Leukoplakia

Answer 40

White patch on the epithelium of mucous membranes (oral, genital, anal) e.g. Lichen planus; squamous cell carcinoma