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
Ecchymosis
Bruise; a black and blue mark; a large purpura
Cicatrix of the skin
A mark left by the healing of a sore or wound, showing the replacement of destroyed tissue by fibrous tissue
Keloid
An abnormal overgrowth of scar tissue that is thick and irregular
Epidermal tumors
Skin tumors arising from the epidermis
Nevus
A congenital malformation on the skin that can be epidermal or vascular; also called a mole
Dysplastic nevus
A mole with precancerous changes
Verruca
An epidermal tumor caused by a papilloma virus, also called a wart
