Evaluation of the Skin: Morphology and Distribution

This set of flashcards covers key terminology and concepts related to the evaluation of skin morphology and distribution.

What is a macule?

primary skin lesion

flat area of discoloration

less than 1 cm in diameter

What is a patch?

larger, flat, non-palpable area of skin discoloration

measures greater than 1 cm in diameter

What is a papule?

primary skin lesion

palpable, solid, elevated lesion

less than 1 cm in diameter

does not contain fluid

What is a plaque?

primary skin lesion

well-circumscribed, elevated, solid lesion

measures greater than 1 cm in diameter

formed by the joining together (confluence) of multiple papules

What is a nodule?

primary skin lesion

circumscribed, elevated, solid lesion

deeper and firmer than a papule

measures more than 0.5 cm in diameter

What is a pustule?

primary skin lesion

circumscribed collection of purulent exudate (pus)

What is a furuncle?

abscess of hair follicle

What is a carbuncle?

collection of furuncles

What is a vesicle?

primary skin lesion

circumscribed elevation of the skin containing free fluid (serum or blood)

measures less than 1 cm in diameter

What is acantholysis?

split in the skin

What is a bullae?

primary skin lesion

larger circumscribed elevation of the skin containing free fluid.

measures larger than 1 cm in diameter

What is a wheal?

primary skin lesion

firm, edematous (swollen) plaque, resulting from acute dermal fluid infiltration

appears and disappears relatively quickly

What is a cyst?

primary skin lesion

sac-like nodule, typically having an epithelial lining

contain fluid, semi-solid material, or cellular debris

What is a scale?

secondary skin lesion

accumulation of keratin

excess dead epidermal cells

What is a crust?

secondary skin lesion

collection of dried serum and cellular debris

What is an erosion?

secondary skin lesion

focal loss of only the epidermis

What is an ulcer?

secondary skin lesion

focal loss of the epidermis and at least a portion of the dermis

What is a fissure?

secondary skin lesion

linear, sharply defined loss of epidermis and dermis

What is atrophy?

secondary skin lesion

depression in the skin resulting from a reduction in the thickness of either the epidermis, dermis, or both

skin may appear thin, wrinkled, and translucent

What is a scar?

secondary skin lesion

abnormal formation of connective tissue from dermal damage

What is a keloid?

secondary skin lesion

scar formation characterized by excessive growth of fibrous tissue that extends beyond the original wound boundaries

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'discrete'?

lesions are distinctly separate and unattached from one another, with clear borders between individual lesions

What does 'generalized distribution' imply for skin lesions?

lesions are distributed widely and diffusely over the majority or the entire surface of the body

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'clustered'?

lesions are grouped together in a bunch but not running together

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'coalescing'?

lesions are grouped and starting to merge into one another

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'focal'?

lesions are just in one anatomic location

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'annular'?

ring shaped lesions

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'reticulate'?

web or net-like lesions following vasculature

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'targetoid'?

lesions with a bulls-eye or concentric rings of varying colors

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'umbilicated'?

lesions are centrally indented

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'nummular, discoid, or round'?

coin-shaped lesions

What does it mean for skin lesions to be 'serpiginous'?

lesion is wavy like a snake