Symptomatic Terms (Primary and Secondary Lesions) Flashcards
Lesion
An area of pathologically altered tissue; the two types of lesions are primary and secondary
Primary lesions
Lesions arising from previously normal skin
Macule or macula
A flat, discolored spot on the skin up to 1 cm across
Patch
A flat, discolored area on the skin larger than 1 cm
Papule
A solid mass on the skin up to 0.5 cm in diameter
Plaque
A solid mass greater than 1 cm in diameter and limited to the surface of the skin
Nodule
A solid mass greater than 1 cm that extends deeper into the epidermis
Tumor
A solid mass larger than 1-2 cm
Wheal
An area of localized skin edema (swelling)
Vesicle
Little bladder; an elevated, fluid-filled sac (blister) within or under the epidermis up to 0.5 cm in diameter
Bulla
A blister larger than 0.5 cm
Pustule
A pus-filled sac
Secondary lesions
Lesions that result in changes in primary lesions
Erosion
Gnawed away; loss of superficial epidermis, leaving an area of moisture but no bleeding
Ulcer
An open sore on the skin or mucous membrane that can bleed and scar; sometimes accompanied by infection
Excoriation
A scratch mark
Fissure
A linear crack in the skin
Scale
A thin flake of exfoliated epidermis
Crust
A dried residue of serum (body liquid), pus, or blood on the skin
Vascular lesions
Lesions of a blood vessel
Cherry angioma
A small round, bright red blood vessel tumor on the skin, often on the trunk of the elderly
Telangiectasia
Spider angioma
A tiny, red blood vessel lesion formed by the dilation of a group of blood vessels radiating from a central arteriole, most commonly on the face, neck, or chest
Purpuric lesions
Purpura; lesions resulting from hemorrhages into the skin
Petechia
Spot; reddish-brown, minute hemorrhagic spots on the skin that indicate a bleeding tendency; a small purpura
