Skin Flashcards
Macule
circumscribed, flat, non palpable, change in skin color
up to 1cm
Flat, brown or flat, erythematous
Patch
macule larger than 1cm
Papule
Palpable, elevated, circumscribed, solid mass
caused by superficial thickening in the epidermis
just the epidermis that elevates
does not contain fluid
up to 0.5cm
Plaque
a flat, elevated surface
often formed by coalescences of papules
larger than 0.5cm
Nodule
solid, elevated firm or soft mass
less than 1-2cm
may be firmer and extend deeper into dermis than papule
Tumor
a solid, elevated firm or soft mass
larger than 1-2cm
extending deeper into dermis
Wheal
superficial, raised, erythematous, transit lesions with irregular borders
due to localized edema (fluid present)
Urticaria
Wheals coalescing to form an extensive reaction intensely pruitic (itchy)
Vesicle
circumscribed, superficial, elevated cavity
contains free fluid
up to 1cm
Bullae
larger vesicle
larger than 1cm
usually single chambered and can rupture very easily
superficial in epidermis
Cyst
encapsulated fluid or pus-filled cavity in dermis or subcutaneous
tensely elevating the skin
larger than 1cm
Pustules
circumscribed, superficial, elevated cavity
contains turbid fluid (pus)
up to 1cm
Crust
thickened, dried residue of burst vesicles, pustules, or blood
ranges from red-brown to honey depending on fluid of origin
Scaling
compact, desiccated flakes of skin
dry or greasy; silvery or white
from shedding of dead excess keratin cells
Fissures
a linear crack with abrupt edges; can be dry or moist
extends into dermis
Erosion
superficial, circumscribed loss of epidermis
shallow depression; moist but no bleeding
heals without a scar because it does not extend into dermis
Ulcer
circumscribed depression extending into dermis
irregular shape and may bleed
leaves a scar
Excoriation
scratch mark and superficial
can be self-inflicted abrasion secondary to intense itching
Scar
after open reduction of fracture
replacement of destroyed normal skin tissue by fibrous connective tissue
permanent change
Atrophy
depressed skin level resulting from loss of tissue
thinning of the epidermis with loss of normal skin furrows, resulting in shiny, translucent skin
Lichenification
thickening and roughening of skin usually as a result of intense scratching
results from tightly packed set of papules
causes increased visibility of superficial skin markings
Keloid Scar
Hypertrophic scar
resulting skin level is elevated by excess scar tissue, which is invasive beyond the site of origin injury
darker skin colors may have higher propensity
Petechia
erythematous; pin-sized macules of blood in the skin caused by little broken blood vessels
less than 3mm
Purpura
larger macule or papule of blood in the skin; don’t blanch
older people
0.3-1cm
Eccymosis
small hemorrhagic spot in the skin or a mucous membrane; larger than a petechial, forming a non-elevated, rounded or irregular purplish patch
1cm
caused by escape of blood into tissues from ruptured blood vessels
Cherry Angioma
small, bright red papules and of no consequence
trunks of middle-aged and elderly
Spider Angioma
Stellate telangiectases that look like spiders; often palpable feeding vessel
press on center and it will disappear
indicative of liver function
normal on faces of children and in pregnancy
Telangiectasia
permanently dilated and visible vessels in the skin
appear linear, punctate, or stellate crimson-purple markings
Nevus Flammeus
present at birth and caused by dilated dermal capillaries
pale, pink to purple macules
face and trunk
