Physical Exam Terminology Flashcards
What do you call a flat skin lesion less than 1 cm in diameter?
A macule
What do you call a flat skin lesion bigger than 1 cm?
A patch
What do you call a flat-topped firm elevation of the skin that is blanchable?
A wheal
What do you call a solid, deep-seated, elevated mass on the skin?
A nodule
What do you call a solid, elevated change in skin thickness less than 1 cm in diameter?
A papule
What do you call a solid, elevated change in skin thickness larger than 1 cm in diameter?
A plaque
What do you call a visible accumulation of fluid just beneath the epidermis that is less than 5 mm in diameter?
A vesicle
What do you call a visible accumulation of fluid just beneath the epidermis that is greater than 5 mm in diameter?
A bulla
What do you call a moist and circumscribed loss of the epidermis? What is it called if it is deep, with loss of the underlying dermis?
An erosion
Deep = ulcer
What is it called when the extremities are cyanotic?
Acral cyanosis
What is it called when patches of hair have fallen out?
Alopecia
What is it called when one or both eyelids appear to be droopy?
Ptosis
What is the term for when someone looks to be unusually skinny/frail?
Cachectic
What is the name for a tender red lump found inside the eyelid?
Internal stye/internal hordeolum
What is the name for a tender red lump found on/within the eyelid itself?
External stye/chalazion
What is the proper term for an unusually red eye?
Conjunctival injection
What is it called when the lower palpebral conjunctiva appear abnormally pale? What is this potentially indicative of?
Conjunctival pallor. Potentially indicative of anemia.
What is it called when the area of the eye circumscribing the iris is reddened in a circular pattern?
Ciliary flush
What is it called when the “whites of the eyes” appear yellow?
Scleral icterus
What is it called when you find an opaque band encircling the cornea?
Arcus senilis - seen in old age.
What is it called when you hear turbulent flow in the carotid artery?
A bruit
What is the term for abnormally rapid breathing?
Tachypnea
What is this called?
Pitting edema
What is it called when the patient’s eye or eyes appear to be “dancing,” making repetetive and uncontrolled movements?
Nystagmus
