Terminology

Macule

Patch

Macule

A circumscribed flat lesion <10mm in diameter with a change in the colour or textural change of the skin.

Patch – flat >10mm in diameter

Papule

Nodule

Papule -A raised solid lesion <10mm in diameter felt on palpation. They can be flat topped or dome shaped and can be of various colours.

Nodule A raised solid lesion >10mm in diameter. It can

involve any layer of the skin.

Plaque

Plaque – flat topped palpable lesion Diameter >> thickness

Vesicle

Bulla

Pustule

Abscess

Vesicle - A small blister <10mm in diameter. This is filled with clear fluid and lies in the epidermis or the dermo-epidermal junction.

Bulla - A blister >10mm in diameter.

Pustule - A blister filled with a visible collection of pus. Not all pustules are signs of infection.

Abscess -A localized collection of pus >1cm in diameter.

Lesion due to a broken surface• Erosion - A superficial break in the skin,

involving the epidermis but not the dermis therefore heals without scarring.

• Ulcer - A circumscribed area of skin loss down to and involving the dermis. It will therefore heal with scarring.

• Fissure - A linear split in the skin which can extend down into the dermis.

• Excoriation – Localised damage due to scratching with linear erosions and crusts

Weal - A transient elevated lesion i.e. papule or plaque which is compressible due to dermal oedema. It is usually red or white in colour.

Cyst – A papule or nodule lined with an epithelial wall and filled with fluid, pus or keratin.

Crust – dried exudate

Scale - visible and palpable flakes of

grouped epidermal cells

Lichenification – Thickening of epidermis with increased skin markings due to persistent rubbing

Pedunculated – stalk–like lesion

Papillomatous – surface has minute round or finger –like projections

Filiform – rough finger–like projections

Summary

• History – similar to most medical conditions

• Examination – Look and feel

• Describe, describe, describe!

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

• PCDS• Prof Raimo Suhonen• Dermnetnz• Graham Chadwick• D@nderm