Skin Exam Flashcards
What is a Macule?
A flat area of skin or mucus membrane of a different color from the surrounding skin. Generally less than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a Patch?
A flat area of skin or mucus membrane of a different color from the surrounding skin. Generally greater than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a papule?
A discrete, solid elevated lesion usually less than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a plaque?
A discrete, solid elevated lesion usually broader than it is thick and greater than 0.5cm in
diameter
What is a nodule?
A dermal or subcutaneous well defined lesion usually greater than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a bulla?
A fluid filled blister greater than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a vesicle?
A fluid filled blister less than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a pustule?
A circumscribed elevation that contains pus. Usually less than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a wheal?
An edematous, transitory papule or plaque.
What is a Comedo?
An enlarged hair follicle containing keratin and lipids and having a plugged dilated follicular
opening (blackhead) or a clinically unapparent follicular opening (whitehead).
What are scales?
small flakes of superficial skin
What are erosions?
localized loss of epithelium
What are excoriations?
abrasions resulting from scratching
What are ulcers?
denuded areas of the epidermis and some of the dermis. Ulcers may be open or covered with eschar (hard black scab)
What are scars?
raised or depressed fibrous lesions caused by trauma or disease
