Module 12: Soft Tissue Lesions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to soft tissue lesions.

Soft tissue lesion

An area of abnormal-appearing skin or oral mucosa that differs from surrounding tissue in color, texture, or form.

Lesion

An abnormal area with variation in color, texture, or form of skin or oral mucosa.

Border traits

The edge of a lesion; may be regular or irregular.

Margins

The edge of a lesion; may be smooth or raised.

Color

The lesion color; can appear white, red, blue, black, yellow, or brown.

Configuration

The arrangement or pattern of lesions; includes discrete, grouped, confluent, and linear forms.

Discrete configuration

Separate lesions that do not touch each other.

Grouped configuration

Lesions clustered together.

Confluent configuration

Lesions that merge or run together to form a larger area.

Linear configuration

Lesions arranged in a straight line.

Flat lesions

Lesions that lie level with surrounding tissue, including macules and patches.

Macule

A small flat discolored spot on the skin or oral mucosa.

Patch

A flat, discolored area larger than a macule.

Elevated lesions

Lesions that rise above the surface of skin or mucosa; include papule, plaque, nodule, and wheal.

Papule

A solid raised lesion less than 1 cm in diameter.

Plaque

A superficial raised lesion with a plateau-like top.

Nodule

A raised, marble-like lesion that is typically deeper than a papule.

Wheal

A raised, irregular area of edema (swelling).

Vesicle

A small blister filled with clear fluid.

Bulla

A large blister.

Pustule

A pus-filled lesion.

Depressed lesion

A lesion that is below the surface level; most depressed lesions are ulcers.

Ulcer

A depressed lesion; superficial ulcers are depth

Fissure

A linear crack in the top layers of skin or mucosa.

Linear crack

A long, narrow break in the surface of the skin or mucosa.

Anatomic location

The specific site of a lesion on the body.

ABCD-T

A mnemonic for describing lesions: A—Anatomic location; B—Border; C—Color and configuration; D—Dimension; T—Type.

Dimension

The size measurements of a lesion (in mm or cm).

Type

The lesion category by type (flat, elevated, fluid-filled, depressed).

Melanoma

A skin cancer that is more likely to spread; accounts for over 60% of skin cancer deaths; treatable if caught early.