Unit 1: Terminology Flashcards
_____ lesions are most likely to provide a “diagnosis”
primary
What are some examples of primary lesions?
papules, pustules, vesicles
_____ lesions occur subsequent to other changes.
secondary
What are some examples of secondary lesions?
scales, crusts, lichenification, excoriation
A _____ is a circumscribed, flat discolored lesion (black, brown, red).
macule
What is the significance of a macule?
Pigmentation, hemorrhage
What are examples of things that can cause macules?
Genetics (lentigo), ecchymosis (hemorrhage)
A ____ is a macule > 1 cm in diameter.
patch
Sometimes _____ will colaesce to form patches.
macules
What is the significance of patches?
Pigmentation or hemorrhage
What is an example of something that can cause a patch?
Post-inflammation pigmentation
A _____ is a solid elevation of the skin < 0.5 cm in diameter.
papule
What is the significance of a papule?
Infiltration of the skin with fluid, cells, and/or debris
What are some things that can cause papules?
Pyoderma, miliary dermatitis
A _____ is a circumscribed elevated lesion filled with leukocytes.
pustule
What is the significance of a pustule?
inflammation
What are examples of conditions that can have pustules?
Pyoderma, AI disease, dermatophytosis
An _____ is a circular ring of scale-crust representing the remains of a pustule, vesicle, or bulla.
epidermal collarette
What is the significance of an epidermal collarette?
Remnant of primary lesions
What are examples of conditions that can cause epidermal collarettes?
Pyoderma, AI disease, dermatophytosis
What is the progression to epidermal collarette formation?
Papule –> pustule –> epidermal collarette
A _____ is an edematous plaque.
wheal
What is the significance of a wheal?
Inflammation, vascular leakage (type I hypersensitivity reactions)
What is an example of something that can cause a wheal?
Urticaria
A _____ is a circumscribed, elevated, flat lesion > 0.5 cm in diameter.
plaque
What is the significance of a plaque?
Cutaneous infiltration of cells or fluid
What is an example of a plaque?
feline eosinophilic plaque
A _____ is a circumscribed lesion of free fluid < 0.5 cm in diameter
vesicle; “small blister”
What is the significance of a vesicle?
Damage to vasculature or BMZ
What are examples of conditions that can have vesicles?
Vasculitis, bullous pemphigoid
A _____ is a circumscribed lesion of free fluid > 0.5 cm in diameter
bulla; “large blister”
What is the significance of a bulla?
Damage to vasculature or BMZ
What is an example of somehting that can cause a bulla?
Bullous pemphigoid
A _____ is a solid, elevated lesion > 0.5 cm in diameter.
nodule
What is the significance of a nodule?
Cellular infiltration of the skin
What are examples of nodules?
Neoplasia, granulomatous inflammation
A _____ is a solid elevation > 1 cm in diameter.
tumor; “large mass” or “bigger nodules”
What can a tumor involve?
Any structure in the skin and/or subcutis
What is the significance of a tumor?
Cellular infiltration of the skin
What are examples of tumors?
Neoplasia, inflammation
A _____ is accumulation of dead epidermal cells on the surface.
scale; “dandruff”
What is the significance of scale?
Hyperkeratosis, changed epidermal kinetics, inability to slough cells
What are examples of scale?
Familial seborrhea, sebaceous adenitis
A _____ is a collection fo keratin and follicular debris adhering to a hair shaft above the follicular osteum.
follicular cast
What is the significance of a follicular cast?
Follicular hyperkeratosis or inflammation
What is an example of a follicular cast?
sebaceous adenitis
A _____ is accumulation of cells, serum, and/or blood on the skin.
crust; “scab”
What is the significance of crust?
Inflammation, leakage through the epidermis (good info in histopath)
What are some things that can cause crust?
AI diseases, pyoderm
_____ is focal loss of the epidermis not extending into the dermis.
erosion
What is the significance of erosion?
Physical damage to the skin
What is an example of something that can cause erosion?
It can be secondary to scratching or rubbing (pruritus)
An _____ is an erosion caused by scratching.
excoriation
What is the significance of excoriations?
moderate to severe damage
What is an example of when excoriations can happen?
Pruritus resulting in visible “scratches”
An _____ is a break in the continuity of the epidermis.
ulcer
What is the significance of an ulcer?
Severe damage to the epidermis; indicates loss of protective functions of the epidermis
What are examples of things that can cause ulcers?
Infectious diseases (fungal), AI diseases
What are fistulous draining tracts?
Ulcers in the epidermis that allow clearing/removal of foreign substances from the dermis/subcutis
Fistulous draining tracts most often reflect _____.
furunculosis
What is this?

Furunculosis (fistulous draining tracts with serosanguinous fluid)
_____ is an area of thickened epidermis, with accentuated skin markings.
Lichenification
What is the significance of lichenification?
Represents area of chronic irritation/inflammation
What are examples of lichenification?
Changes secondary to rubbing (i.e. periocular)
A _____ is a plug of keratinized and/or sebaceous material in a hair follicle.
comedo (pl. comedones); “blackhead”
What is the significance of a comedo?
Hyperkeratosis of the follicle, genetic influences
What is an example of a condition that commonly has comedones?
Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome
A _____ is an abnormal formation of connective tissue suggesting dermal damage.
cicatrix; “scar”
What is the significance of a cicatrix?
Area of previous damage, often irreversible
What is an example of a condition with cicatrixes?
Cicatricial alopecia due to dermatomyositis
_____ is thinning of the epidermis or dermis as a result of loss of normal structures.
Atrophy
What is the significance of atrophy?
Physical damage, nutrient damage, alterations in growth factors or control mechanisms
What are examples of things that can cause atrophy?
Fragile skin syndrome in hyperadrenocorticism
A _____ is a linear break in the epidermis with near-vertical walls.
fissure
What is the significance of a fissure?
Extensive damage with extension into the dermis
What is an example of a fissure?
Cut in a foot pad
What is hyperpigmentation?
Darkening of the skin
What is hypopigmentation?
Loss of pigment
What is poliosis?
Loss of pigment for the entire hair coat
What is leukotrichia?
Individual hairs that have lost pigment
What is albinism?
Genetic disease that causes loss of pigment
What is leukoderma?
White skin
_____ is the lack of hair where it was once present.
Alopecia
What is the significance of alopecia?
Damage to the follicle, hair shaft, or alterations in growth factors
What are some examples of conditions that cause alopecia?
Follicular dysplasia, dermatophytosis, hypoT4
What is a single configuration?
Solitary lesions
What is a linear configuration?
lesions in a line
What is an annular configuration?
Lesions in the shape of a circle or ring with central clearing
What is an arciform configuration?
Lesion in the shape of an arc or semicircle
What is a serpiginous configuration?
Lesion in an undulating line
What is an iris or target configuration?
Bilayered circular lesion
What is a grouped configuration?
Lesions clumped together
What is a confluent configuration?
Merging lesions
_____ lesions are similar or identical on both sides of the body.
symmetrical
Symmetrical lesions are often erroneously classified as _____ (alopecia).
endocrine
_____ lesions are randomly distributed on the body.
asymmetrical
Asymmetrical lesions may become _____ with time.
symmetrical
_____ lesions are spread relatively evenly throughout the body or one area of the body.
diffuse
_____ lesions are spotty.
Patchy
Patchy most often describes _____. What type of appearance is it?
alopecia; moth-eaten
What can cause patchy lesions?
Infectious, endocrine disorders
_____ lesions are located in skin folds.
Intertriginous
What areas can have intertriginous lesions?
Lip folds (Cockers), facial folds (brachycephalic breeds), vulvar folds, tail folds, and Sharpeis
What do intertriginous lesions usually mean?
Usually represent inflammatory ot infectious processes due to change in microenvironment of the skin on those areas.