Primary and Secondary Skin Lesions

Health Assessments Concepts Exam 2

Macule

solely a color change, flat and circumscribed, less than 1cm

papule

felt and caused by superficial thickening of the epidermis

patch

macules that are larger than 1cm

plaque

papule coalescing to form surface elevation wider than 1cm

nodule

solid, elevated, hard or soft, greater than 1cm that may extend deeper into the dermis than a papule

wheal

superficial, raised and erythematous, irregular in shape due to edema

tumor

larger in diameter, firm or soft, deeper into the dermis, may be benign or malignant

urticaria (hives)

wheals coalesce to form extensive puritic reaction

vesicle

elevated cavity containing fluid up to 1cm (blister)

cyst

encapsulated fluid filled cavity

bulla

larger than 1cm in diamaeter, usually a single chamber, superficial in dermis and ruptures easily (large blister)

pustule

pus in cavity that is circumscribed and elevated

debris on skin surface

type of seconday lesion, crusts/scales

break in continuity of the skin surface

fissures, erosions, ulcers, excoriations, scars, atrophic scars, lithifications, keloids are examples of secondary skin lesions that result from various skin conditions or injuries.

vascular lesions (examples)

petechiae, purpura, lesions from abuse/trauma (pattern injury, hematoma, contusion), capillary hemanogioma