Skin lesions

Question 1

What is a macule?

Answer 1

A spot that is level with the skin’s surface and discernable only by difference in colour or texture.

Question 2

What are the three types of skin cancer?

Answer 2

1. Malignant melanoma (melanocytes)
2. Basal cell carcinoma (basalic cells)
3. Squamous cell carcinoma (outer most layers of skin)

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

Elevated spot (palpable) smaller than 5mm

Question 4

Describe a nodule

Answer 4

Elevated, palpable, firm, larger than 5mm, can involve all layers of the skin

Question 5

Describe a plaque

Answer 5

Elevated, flat topped, firm, rough, greater than 2cm in diameter

Question 6

Describe a wheal

Answer 6

Elevated, irregular-shaped area of cutaneous oedema, transient, changing, variable diameter and colour. Example- urticaria nettle rash

Question 7

Describe a vesicle

Answer 7

Small superficial fluid filled blister, <5mm. Example herpes simplex/cold sore.

Question 8

Describe bulla.

Answer 8

Large vesicle (fluid filled blister). Example bulbous pemphigoid or huge insect bites.

Question 9

Describe a pustule

Answer 9

Small pus filled blister <5mm. Example impetigo.

Question 10

Scale

Answer 10

Heaped up keratinised cells

Question 11

Crust

Answer 11

Dry exudate (exudate is the fluid that leaks out of the circulatory system into a wound site).

Question 12

Excoriation

Answer 12

The loss of the epidermis usually due to scratching.

Question 13

Lichenification

Answer 13

Rough, thickened epidermis caused by rubbing or scratching. Example chronic eczema.

Question 14

Comodones is the medical term for?

Answer 14

Blackheads

Question 15

Telangectasia is caused by?

Answer 15

Dilation of the capillaries