skin Flashcards
What are the 4 morphologic characteristics of skin lesions?
- distribution - Shape - Border - Pigmentation
A skin lesion can be distributed in what 3 fashions?
- localized: one small area
- regional: speficic region of body
- generalized/disseminated: widely distributed
what are annular lesions? Give an example of an infection that produces this type of lesion
round; active margins with central clearing
- ex: tinea corporis
What is a zosteriform lesion (describes it’s shape)? Give an example of a disease that produces this type of lesion
- dermatomal- following a nerve segment
- ex: herpes zoster
Describe iris/target lesions. Give an example of a disease that has this type of lesion associated with it
- pink macules with purple central papules
ex: erythema multiforme
Describe a serpiginous lesion
having a wavy margin
- Ex: hookworm larvae
Describe a morbilliform lesion.
- measels-like
- erythematous maculopapular lesions that become confluent on the face and body
- *primarily seen with drug eruption
What is the difference between a distinct and indistinct lesion
- distinct: well-demarcated or defined; able to draw a line around the area with confidence
- indistinct: poorly defined; borders merge with normal skin
Describe an active lesion
margin of lesion shows greater activity than the center
Describe an irregular lesion
notched margins; not smooth
ex: malignant melanoma
Describe a lesion that has raised borders
center of lesion is depressed compared to the edge
- ex: basal cell carcinoma
What are the ABCDs of malignant melanoma
- A: asymmetry
- B: borders (irregular)
- C: color (variegatd)
- D: diameter > 6 mm
- E: elevation
What do secondary skin lesions arise from
- arise from changes in primary lesions
- usually due to scratching and or infection
What two types of primary skin lesions have the characteristics of circumscribed, flat, and non-palpable?
- macule
- patch
What three primary skin lesions are characterized by superficial elevations by free fluid
- vesicle
- bulla
- pustule
what 5 primary skin lesions are characterized by palpable, elevated solid masses
- papule
- plaque
- nodule
- tumor
- wheal
in order for a lesion to be considered a macule, what are its characteristics
- flat, non-palpable
- < 1 cm in diameter
measels, freckles, and petechiae are what kind of skin lesion
macule
what are the characteristics of a patch
- flat, non-palpable
- > 1 cm in diameter
identify and give skin lesion classification
mongolian spots
- patch
identify and give skin lesion classification
cafe au lait spots
- patch
identify and give skin lesion classification
port wine stain
- patch
identify and give skin lesion classification
vitiligo
- patch
give characteristics of a papule
- up to 1 cm
- palpable, firm
- may be confluent and form plaques
warts and nevi are what type of skin lesion
papule
name this skin lesion that results from a viral infection and give its skin lesion classification
molluscum contagiosum
- papule
Give the characteristics of a plaque
- elevated, firm, rough
- > 1 cm
psoriasis and eczema are examples of what primary skin lesion
plaque
give the characteristics of a nodule
- > 0.5 cm
- deeper and firmer than a papule
- usually round
lipomas, and skin cancers (malignant melanoma, basal cells or squamous cell carcinoma) are examples of what type of primary skin lesion
nodule
Give the characteristics of a tumor
- a large nodule
- deeper in dermis
- > 2 cm
identify this skin lesion caused by dilation of dermal capillaries and give primary skin lesion classification
- hemangioma
- tumor