Pre-classDermVocab

Question 1

Annular

Answer 1

Annular lesions are seen in a ring shape. Tinea corporis, erythema migrans (the lesion associated with lyme disease), and granuloma annulare are three common examples.

Question 2

Discrete

Answer 2

Discrete lesions tend to remain separate. This is a helpful descriptive term but has little specific diagnostic significance.

Question 3

Clustered

Answer 3

Clustered lesions are those that are grouped together. They are commonly seen in herpes simplex or with insect bites, for example.

Question 4

Confluent

Answer 4

Lesions which run together

Question 5

Dermatomal, zosteriform

Answer 5

follow a dermatome. The lesions of varicella zoster (also known as shingles) are the classic example, but there are other lesions which may assume the same pattern.

Question 6

Eczematoid

Answer 6

lesions are inflamed with a tendency toward clustering, oozing, or crusting.

Question 7

Follicular

Answer 7

It is sometimes helpful to determine if lesions specifically involve the hair follicle.

Question 8

Guttate

Answer 8

Guttate lesions look as though someone took a dropper and dropped this lesion on the skin. Guttate lesions are characteristic of one form of psoriasis, though that is not the only example.

Question 9

Iris lesions

Answer 9

Iris lesions are also known as target lesions and are a series of concentric rings. These have a dark or blistered center. These lesions are frequently seen with erythema multiforme but not exclusively so.

Question 10

Koebner phenomenon

Answer 10

also called the isomorphic response, refers to the appearance of lesions along a site of injury. This phenomenon is seen in a variety of conditions; for example, lichen planus, warts, molluscum contagiosum, psoriasis, lichen nitidus, and the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 11

Linear lesions

Answer 11

occur in a line or band-like configuration. This descriptive term may apply to a wide variety of disorders. (One should be certain that the lesions are not following a dermatome.)

Question 12

Multiform

Answer 12

lesions of a variety of shapes.

Question 13

Reticular

Answer 13

Reticular net-like lesions can be seen in a variety of circumstances; e.g., very commonly in newborns (or even grown children and adults) as cutis marmorata, or with livedo reticularis. The former fades as the skin is warmed the latter becomes more florid.

Question 14

Serpiginous lesions

Answer 14

wander as though following the track of a snake.

Question 15

Universalis

Answer 15

refers to a widespread disorder that affects the entire skin.

Question 16

Scarlatiniform rashes

Answer 16

have the pattern of scarlet fever. The patient with a scarlatiniform rash has innumerable small red papules that are widely and diffusely distributed. Note that the term scarlatiniform does not mean that the patient has scarlet fever, although by definition all patients with scarlet fever have a scarlatiniform rash. Patients with a variety of other conditions such as Kawasaki disease, viral infections, or drug reactions may have rashes with the same pattern.

Question 17

Strawberry tongue

Answer 17

Patients with scarlet fever, Kawasaki disease or other conditions may develop a distinctive appearance of their tongues. Because of its resemblance to the well-known berry, the appearance is called “strawberry tongue.”

Question 18

morbilliform

Answer 18

The term “morbilliform” means that the patient has a rash that looks like measles. Patients with measles will have the rash but patients with Kawasaki disease, drug reactions, or other conditions may also have a morbilliform rash. The rash consists of macular lesions that are red and are usually 2-10 mm in diameter but may be confluent in places.

Question 19

satellite lesions

Answer 19

The term is commonly used to describe a portion of the rash of cutaneous candidiasis in which a beefy red plaque may be found surrounded by numerous, smaller red macules located adjacent to the body of the main lesions.

Question 20

Pattern of intentional or unintentional injury

Answer 20

One important category of skin lesions involve the form that skin lesions may take in cases of child abuse or other intentional injury (bite marks, slap marks, strap marks, burns, etc.) or in cases of unintentional injury. Abrasions are traumatically caused erosions.