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Skin & Special Senses Notes
General Principals of Dermatology
Key words + Definitions:
- Primary Lesion:
o The initial lesion that characterizes a condition.
- Secondary Lesion:
o Over time, the primary lesion may continue to develop or be modified by regression/trauma,
producing a ͞secondary lesion͘͟
Morphology Terminology ʹ Primary Lesions:
Lesion Name: Lesion Description:
Erythema Redness due to vascular dilation. (Eg. Cellulitis)
Erythroderma Red rash covering >90% of the Body
Telangiectasia Permanently dilated dermal blood vessels to the point
of being visible; Blanches under pressure
Macule A macule is a small, flat are of altered colour,
without elevation or depression (nonpalpable).
(Eg. Lentigo Simplex, Eg. Freckles)
Patch A patch is a large Macule
Petechiae Tiny macules of blood in the skin; Small, non
blanching Extravasated RBC͛s
Purpura A Large Macule or Patch of blood in the skin͘
(May Be Doesn͛t blanch under pressure. (Eg. A Hickey)
Palpable) Larger area of RBC extravasation
(The hallmark of vasculitis ʹ severe inflammation of the
blood vessels͖ If it is this bad in the skin͕ it͛s probably
this bad elsewhere in the body)
Ecchymosis/ A Larger subcutaneous bleed. The resultant swelling
Haematoma =a H͚ aematoma͛
, Micropapule A Very Small raised lesion 1-2mm in diameter.
Papule A small raised lesion (less than 0.5cm)
Plaque Flat-topped, raised area of the skin. (Usually
dermal thickening.)
A large Papule more than 2cm in width but NO
depth. (Eg. Psoriasis)
Papilloma A nipple-like mass projecting from the skin
Burrow A linear Papule caused by a burrowing organism.
Eg. Scabies
Nodule A raised, solid lesion greater than 0.5cm in width
AND depth. (Eg. Keloid Scar)
Tumour A mass of enlarged tissues of more than 1cm diameter
Vesicle A clear, fluid-containing elevation of less than 5mm
in diameter. (Eg. Chickenpox)
(Typically appear clear, but can fill with pus to
become a Pustule)
Bulla A large Vesicle more than 0.5cm in diameter
Pustule A small Pus-filled vesicle of less than 5mm in diameter
Impetiginised Covered in Crust, Pustules, & Often Weeping
(Impetigo):
Cyst A cavity containing liquid, semisolid, or solid material
Skin & Special Senses Notes
General Principals of Dermatology
Key words + Definitions:
- Primary Lesion:
o The initial lesion that characterizes a condition.
- Secondary Lesion:
o Over time, the primary lesion may continue to develop or be modified by regression/trauma,
producing a ͞secondary lesion͘͟
Morphology Terminology ʹ Primary Lesions:
Lesion Name: Lesion Description:
Erythema Redness due to vascular dilation. (Eg. Cellulitis)
Erythroderma Red rash covering >90% of the Body
Telangiectasia Permanently dilated dermal blood vessels to the point
of being visible; Blanches under pressure
Macule A macule is a small, flat are of altered colour,
without elevation or depression (nonpalpable).
(Eg. Lentigo Simplex, Eg. Freckles)
Patch A patch is a large Macule
Petechiae Tiny macules of blood in the skin; Small, non
blanching Extravasated RBC͛s
Purpura A Large Macule or Patch of blood in the skin͘
(May Be Doesn͛t blanch under pressure. (Eg. A Hickey)
Palpable) Larger area of RBC extravasation
(The hallmark of vasculitis ʹ severe inflammation of the
blood vessels͖ If it is this bad in the skin͕ it͛s probably
this bad elsewhere in the body)
Ecchymosis/ A Larger subcutaneous bleed. The resultant swelling
Haematoma =a H͚ aematoma͛
, Micropapule A Very Small raised lesion 1-2mm in diameter.
Papule A small raised lesion (less than 0.5cm)
Plaque Flat-topped, raised area of the skin. (Usually
dermal thickening.)
A large Papule more than 2cm in width but NO
depth. (Eg. Psoriasis)
Papilloma A nipple-like mass projecting from the skin
Burrow A linear Papule caused by a burrowing organism.
Eg. Scabies
Nodule A raised, solid lesion greater than 0.5cm in width
AND depth. (Eg. Keloid Scar)
Tumour A mass of enlarged tissues of more than 1cm diameter
Vesicle A clear, fluid-containing elevation of less than 5mm
in diameter. (Eg. Chickenpox)
(Typically appear clear, but can fill with pus to
become a Pustule)
Bulla A large Vesicle more than 0.5cm in diameter
Pustule A small Pus-filled vesicle of less than 5mm in diameter
Impetiginised Covered in Crust, Pustules, & Often Weeping
(Impetigo):
Cyst A cavity containing liquid, semisolid, or solid material
