Skin Dysfunction: Primary & Secondary Lesions

Macule

Flat, circumscribed, discolored skin lesion

Plaque

Elevated, firm, rough lesion with a flat top, >1 cm in diameter (e.g., psoriasis).

Papule

Elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion

Wheal

Elevated, irregularly shaped area of cutaneous edema with variable diameter (e.g., insect bite).

Patch

Flat, nonpalpable, irregularly shaped macule >1 cm in diameter (e.g., vitiligo).

Nodule

Elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion extending deeper into dermis, 1-2 cm in diameter (e.g., lipoma).

Tumor

Elevated, solid lesion extending deeper into dermis, >2 cm in diameter (e.g., benign tumor).

Pustule

Elevated, superficial lesion filled with purulent fluid, up to 1 cm in diameter (e.g., acne).

Vesicle

Elevated, superficial lesion filled with serous fluid,

Cyst

Elevated, circumscribed pocket-like lesion in dermis filled with liquid or solid material (e.g., sebaceous cyst).

Bulla

Vesicle greater than 1 cm in diameter (e.g., blister).

Telangiectasia

Fine, irregular red lines produced by capillary dilation (e.g., rosacea).

Scale

Heaped-up, keratinized cells presenting as flaky skin. 2

Scar

Fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury. 2

Lichenification

Rough, thickened epidermis resulting from chronic rubbing or scratching. 2

Excoriation

Loss of the epidermis, often caused by scratching. 2

Fissure

Linear crack or break extending from the epidermis into the dermis. 2

Keloid

Firm, elevated scar with clawlike margins extending beyond original injury site. 2

Erosion

Loss of part of the epidermis, leaving a moist surface (e.g., chemical injury). 2

Ulcer

Concave loss of epidermis and dermis (e.g., pressure injury). 2

Age-related Skin Atrophy

Thinning of epidermis/dermis with reduced collagen, elastin, moisture, and delayed healing. 2