Dermatology terminology 2
Terms
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- macule
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a circumscribed lesion of up to 5 mm in diameter, characterized by flatness and usually distinguished from surrounding skin by its coloration. - patch
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circumcised lesion of more than 5 mm in diameter are characterized by flatness and usually distinguished from surrounding skin by its coloration - papule
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elevated, dome shaped, or flat-topped lesion 5 mm or less across. - nodule
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elevated lesion with spherical contour greater than 5 mm across. Extends deeper than papules. - plaque
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elevated flattopped lesion, usually greater than 5 mm across (may be caused by coalescent papules) - vesicle
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fluid-filled raised lesion and 5 mm or less across - bulla
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fluid-filled raised lesion greater than 5 mm across - blister
- common term used for vesicle or bulla
- pustule
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discreet, pus-filled, raised lesion - wheal
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Itchy, transient, elevated lesion with variable blanching and erythema formed as the result of dermal edema - scale
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visible fragments of the stratum corneum as it is shed from the skin. Suggests epidermal disorder such as ichthyosis or psoriasis. - lichenification
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thickened and rough skin characterized by prominent skin markings; usually the result of repeated rubbing in susceptible persons - excoriation
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traumatic lesion characterized by breakage of the epidermis, causing a raw linear area (a deep scratch); often self-induced - onycholysis
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separation of the nail plate from the nail bed - hyperkeratosis
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thickening of the stratum corneum, often associated with a qualitative abnormality of the keratin - parakeratosis
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modes of keratinization characterized by the retention of the nuclei in the stratum corneum. Normal on mucous membranes. - hypergranulosis
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hyperplasia of the stratum granulosum, often due to intense rubbing -
acanthosis
(aah can tho sus) -
diffuse epidermal hyperplasia. Rete ridges may be elongated. - papillomatosis
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surface elevation caused by hyperplasia and enlargement of contiguous dermal papillae - dyskeratosis
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abnormal keratinization occurring prematurely within individual cells or groups of cells below the stratum granulosum. They often have brightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. - acantholysis
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loss of intracellular connections resulting in loss of cohesion between keratinocytes - spongiosis
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intracellular edema of the epidermis that physically pulls keratinocytes away from each other accentuating where they are connected to each other by desmosomes. If severe, can cause intraepidemal vesicles (spongiotic vesicles). - hydropic swelling
- intracellular edema of keratinocytes, often seen in viral infections
- exocytosis
- infiltration of the epidermis by inflammatory or circulating blood cells
- erosion
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discontinuity of the skin exhibiting incomplete loss of the epidermis - ulceration
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discontinuity of the skin exhibiting complete loss of the epidermis and often of portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat - vacuolization
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formation of vacuoles within or adjacent to cells; often refers to basal cell-basement membrane zone area - lentiginous
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referring to a linear pattern of melanocyte proliferation within the epidermal basal cell layer. Can occur as a reactive change or as part of a neoplasm of melanocytes. - Acrochordons
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Skin tags. Fleshy, pedunculated masses located on the axillae, trunk, and eyelids. Composed of hyperplastic epidermis over a fibrous connective tissue stalk.
Always benign.