Terminology of skin lesions

Published on 04/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Dermatology

Last modified 04/03/2015

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Terminology of skin lesions

Dermatology has a vocabulary that is quite distinct from that of other medical specialties and without which it is impossible to describe skin disorders. A lesion is a general term for an area of disease, usually small. An eruption (or rash) is a more widespread skin involvement, normally composed of several lesions, which may be the primary pathology (e.g. papules, vesicles or pustules) or due to secondary factors such as scratching or infection (e.g. crusting, lichenification or ulceration). Below is a selection of other commonly encountered dermatological terms.

Macule

A macule is a localized area of colour or textural change in the skin. Macules can be hypopigmented, as in vitiligo; pigmented, as in a freckle (a); or erythematous, as in a capillary haemangioma (b).

image

Papule

A papule is a small solid elevation of the skin, generally defined as less than 5 mm in diameter. Papules may be flat topped, as in lichen planus; dome shaped, as in xanthomas; or spicular if related to hair follicles.

image

Nodule

Similar to a papule but larger (i.e. greater than 5 mm in diameter), nodules can involve any layer of the skin and can be oedematous or solid. Examples include a dermatofibroma (below) and secondary deposits.

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Bulla

A bulla is similar to a vesicle but larger: greater than 5 mm in diameter. The blisters of bullous pemphigoid (see figure; a) and pemphigus vulgaris (p. 78) are examples.

Vesicle

A vesicle is a small blister (less than 5 mm in diameter) consisting of clear fluid accumulated within or below the epidermis. Vesicles may be grouped as in dermatitis herpetiformis (subepidermal). Intraepidermal vesicles are shown in the figure (b).

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Glossary of other dermatological terms

image Abscess: A localized collection of pus formed by necrosis of tissue.

image Alopecia: Absence of hair from a normally hairy area.

image Atrophy: Loss of epidermis, dermis or both. Atrophic skin is thin, translucent and wrinkled with easily visible blood vessels.

image Burrow: A tunnel in the skin caused by a parasite, particularly the acarus of scabies.

image Callus: Local hyperplasia of the horny layer, often of the palm or sole, due to pressure.

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