Skin:Lesions Flashcards
circumscribed, flat, nonpalpable change in skin color (up to 1 cm)
macule (freckles, flat nevi)
circumscribed, flat non palpable change in skin color (> 1 cm)
patch(mongolian spot)
Palpable, elevated, circumscribed, solid mass; caused by superficial thickening in epidermis (
Papule(elevated nevus, wart)
flat, elevated surface; often formed by coalescence of papules (> 0.5 cm)
plaque(psoriasis)
solid, elevated, firm or soft mass; extending into dermis; may be benign or malignant (0.5 - 2 cm)
nodule(fibroma, intradermal nevi)
solid, elevated, firm or soft mass; extending into dermis; may be benign or malignant (> 1-2cm)
tumor(lipoma, hemangioma)
superficial, raised, erythematous lesion with irregular borders due to localized edema (transient)
wheal(varies in size)(mosquito bite, allergic reactions)
wheals coalescing to form an extensive reaction; intensely pruritic
urticaria(hives)
circumscribed, superficial, elevated cavity containing free fluid (clear - flows if ruptured) (
vesicle(herpes, chicken pox)
large vesicle; usually single chambered and thin - walled - ruptures easily (clear fluid); superficial in epidermis (> 1cm)
bulla(friction blister)
circumscribed, superficial, elevated cavity containing turbid fluid (pus) (
pustule(acne)
encapsulated, fluid or pus filled cavity in dermis or subcutaneous layer - tensely elevating skin (> 1 cm)
cyst(sebaceous cyst)
thickened, dried residue of burst vesicles, pustules or blood; red-brown, honey-colored or yellow depending on origin
crust(eczema)
compact desiccated flakes of skin (dry or greasy; silvery or white) from shedding of excess keratin cells; exfoliation of the dermis
scale(post-scarlet fever, dry skin, dandruff)
scratch mark; superficial
excoriation(scratch, insect bite, scabies, varicella)
linear crack with abrupt edges; extends into dermis (dry or moist)
fissure(cheilosis - corners of mouth; athlete’s foot)
superficial, circumscribed loss of epidermis; leaves scooped-out/shallow depression; moist, but no bleeding; no scar (bc does not extend into dermis)
erosion(stage 2 pressure ulcer)
circumscribed depression extending into dermis, irregular shape, may bleed; leaves scar once healed
ulcer(pressure sore, malignant growth)
replacement of destroyed normal skin tissue by fibrous connective tissue (permanent change)
scar
hypertrophic scar - resulting skin level elevated by excess scar tissue - invasive beyond site of injury
keloid
depressed skin level from loss of tissue; thinning of epidermis with loss of normal skin furrows (shiny, translucent skin)
atrophy
thickening and roughening of skin (usually from scratching); results from tightly packed papules; causes increased visibility of superficial skin markings
lichenification(long-standing eczema)
pallor
lack of color: anxiety, fear, anemia
erythema
redness (excess blood supply): CO poisoning, fever, infection
cyanosis
blue (decreased perfusion): frostbite, hypoxemia
jaundice
yellow (skin, sclera): cirrhosis, sickle cell, hepatitis
mongolian spots
(babies) hyper pigmentation due to melanocytes; does NOT blanch; will go away (butt/sacrum)
cafe au lait spots
oval/round patch, usually harmless unless >6 large spots
temporary cyanosis
(normal for NB, will blanch)- acrocyanosis- curtis marmorata (cold temps)
acne
- comedonal: white/black heads, closed (due to clogging)- pustular: larger, infection (pimple)
2 conditions in older adults (less fat, loss of blood supply, dry skin)
- seborrheic keratosis: raised, thickened pigmentation, skin will repair slowly (ulcers/sores)- senile lentigines: liver spots
diaphoresis
excess sweating (anxiety, fever, chest pain)
edema (grade 1+ - 4+) and causes
fluid in interstitial spaces- deep venous thrombosis (DVT)- chronic venous insufficiency- lymphedema (will not stay when pressed)- orthostatic edema (standing too long)- congestive heart failure (standing in feet, laying in butt/back)
mobility vs turgor
mobility: skin’s ease of rising (elasticity)turgor: ability to return promptly (elasticity and moisture)
configuration: annular
circular
configuration: confluent
lesions running together
configurations: discrete
single/by itself
configurations: grouped
clustered (poison ivy)
configurations: gyrate
twisted, coiled
configurations: target
resemble iris of eye/have a center (lyme disease)
configurations: linear
in a line
configurations: polycyclic
circular (cirrhosis)
zosteriform
along a dermatome; virus will live along nerves in the dermatome; start in center and spread outward (shingles)
red pin sized macules of the blood in the skin
petechiae
large macule or papule of blood in the skin (from bruise)
purpura
small hemorrhagic spot on skin or mucous membrane (larger than petechiae) non-elevated, round, purple-blue patch
ecchymosis(escape of blood into tissues from ruptured blood vessels)
small bright red papules; benign, usually on trunk in elderly or middle-aged
cherry angioma
legs radiating from center with palpable feeding vessel in center; if pressed will blanch
spider angioma (stellate telangiectases)
permanently dilated and visible vessels in skin; appear linear, punctate, or stellate; crimson purple
telangiectasia
pale pink to purple macules; present at birth; caused by dilated dermal capillaries
nevus flammeus (port wine stain)
Skin Cancer Warning Signs
A: asymmetry in shapeB: border is irregularC: color is mottled (haphazard display)D: diameter is large(elevation almost always present; enlargement - history of size increase)
slow growing skin cancer, rarely metastasized, almost translucent; dome shaped papule with overlying telangiectasia; locally invasive and destructive
basal cell carcinoma (most common)
(skin cancer) invasive malignancy; bleeding and scabbing repeats; may arise from actinic keratosis
squamous cell carcinoma
superficial spreading skin cancer, nodular - very dark in color
melanoma
hirsutism
excess hairiness on women where terminal hair does not normally occur (can be a symptom of polycystic ovarian)
clubbing
end of nail/skin becomes bulbus
paronychia
infection (nail)
