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*Abscess (Cellulitis with Fluctuance)

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Infection characterized by a localized accumulation of leukocytes with tissue necrosis involving the dermis and subcutaneous tissue

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Acanthosis

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Thickening of the epidermis resulting in the formation of papules and plaques

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Acanthosis nigricans

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An eruption of velvety, hyperpigmented plaques and warty papules in the axillae, groin, neck, and/or anogenital region

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Acne Rosacea

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Chronic inflammatory disorder that targets the nose and cheeks (middle third of the face) resulting in papules and pustules against a background erythema

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*Acne vulgaris

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Papules, pustules, comedones, and/or cysts on an inflammatory base

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Acral

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Affecting body protrusions; finger tips, knuckles, elbows, knees, buttocks, toes, heels, ears

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Acrochordon (skin tag)

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Benign fleshy growth due to epidermal hyperplasia

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*Actinic keratosis (AK)

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A premalignant neoplasm of the epidermis caused by excessive exposure to sunlight, erythematous, scaling, rough papule or patch

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*Alopecia

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Hair Loss

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Annular/annulated

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Ring-shaped

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*Atopic dermatitis (Eczema)

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Chronic eruption of pruritic, erythematous, oozing papules and plaques, usually with secondary lichenification (diffuse epidermal thickening) and excoriation (superficial abrasions of the skin)

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Atrophy

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Thinning or depression of skin due to reduction of underlying tissue

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*Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

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Most common, locally destructive malignancy of the skin that's derived from cells basal lamina

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*Bulla

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A raised, circumscribed lesion (; 0.5 cm) containing serous fluid above the dermis

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Burrows

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Linear or serpiginous (wavy, serpent-like borders) tunnels within the epidermis.

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Cafe au lait macule

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Well-demarcated macule or patch of uniform light to dark brown color and usually oval in shape.

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Furuncle/Carbuncle

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Furuncle: acute, round, firm, tender, circumscribed, perifollicular staphylococcal pyoderma Carbuncle: 2/+ confluent furuncles with separate heads.

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*Cellulitis

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Deep subcutaneous bacerial infection of the skin that results in a localized area of erythema and inflammation.

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Cherry angioma

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Small (; 5 mm), red-to-purple, dome-shaped papule usually located on the trunk

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Circumscribed

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Restricted within limits

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Clavus "corn and heloma"

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A localized thickening of epidermis due to chronic pressure or friction

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Comedone

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"blackhead" or "whitehead"

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Confluent

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Flowing together or merging

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*Contact dermatitis

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Skin inflammation induced by contact with a specific allergen and resulting clinically in edema and erythema. Further categorized as allergic or irritant.

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Crust

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Hard outer layer

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Cryotherapy / liquid nitrogen (LN2)

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Use of extreme cold in surgery or other medical treatment

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*Cyst

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Closed pouch of tissue filled with air or fluid that can internally or externally anywhere on the body

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Delled

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Small depression in the middle

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Dermatofibroma (DF)

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A slow-growing, benign papule, nodule, or tumor that usually has overlying hyperpigmentation

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Dermatographism

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Localized hives over an area due to physical trauma of rubbing

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Dimple sign

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A central depression or dimple elicited within a lesion when it is squeezed along its margins

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Drug-induced hyperpigmentation

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Hyperpigmentation of the skin induced by a medication

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*Dysplastic Nevus

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Atypical, larger nevus with irregular and indistinct borders

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Ecchymosis

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Bruise

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*Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

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A broad term encompassing acute and chronic superficial inflammatory conditions often associated with pruritus or burning.

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Epidermal inclusion cyst (EIC) (0.5-5.0 cm)

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A flesh colored, dome-shaped nodule arising from the infundibulum (upper portion) of a hair follicle ; located in the dermis.

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Electrodessication and curettage (ED;C)

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Treatment of scraping and burning of a lesion i.e. BCC

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Erosion

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Loss of superficial layers of upper epidermis by wearing away as from friction or pressure.

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Erythema/erythematous

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Redness

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Erythema multiforme

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An acute, symmetric eruption of multiple lesion types (papules, macules, and subepidermal vesicles) due to hypersensitivity

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Excoriations

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Superficial skin abrasions due to skin scratching

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Fissure

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Sharply-defined, linear or wedge-shaped tears in the epidermis with abrupt walls.

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Fluctuance

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Movable and compressible-used of abnormal body structures

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Folliculitis

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Inflammation of the hair follicle that appears as a pustule and/or papule.

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Full/total body skin exam (FBSE/TBSE)

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F/T BSE

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*Ganglion Cyst (Synovial Cyst)

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A cyst caused by leakage of synovial joint fluid into the surrounding tissue and can occur in any joint

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Granuloma annulare

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A chronic or recurrent eruption of waxy, erythematous papules that tend to coalesce to form a ring

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Guttate

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Drop-shaped

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Herpes simplex

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An acute, self-limited eruption of clustered vesicles, often with secondary crusting, caused by herpesvirus type 1 or type 2 infection.

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Herpes zoster

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Painful eruption of grouped vesicles in a dermatomal distribution from herpes zoster (varicella-zoster) virus infection.

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Hyperkeratosis

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Increased keratinization (cornification) of the epidermis, which appears clinically as thickening of the skin or mucous membrane.

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Hyperpigmentation

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Darker than normal color from increased melanin

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Hypopigmentation

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Paler than normal from decreased melanin, but some color still present.

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Ichthyosis

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A hereditary or acquired skin condition characterized by noninflammatory or inflammatory dryness and scaling of the skin.

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Impetigo

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Infectious eruptions of flaccid pustules, which rupture to form a thick honey to brown colored crust

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Induration

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Hardening

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*Keloids

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Firm, movable, benign hypertrophic scar tissue often caused by an allergy

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Lentigo/lentigines

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A brown, sharply circumscribed macule resembling a freckle.

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Lesion

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A region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer, abscess, tumor, etc.

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Lichen planus

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Inflammatory eruption of flat-topped, shiny pinkish-purple papules on flexor surfaces, genitalia, and buccal mucosa.

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Lichen simplex chronicus

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One or more localized circumscribed lichenified plaques that result from repetitive scratching or rubbing.

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Lichenification

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Diffuse thickening of the epidermis, with resulting accentuation of skin lines.

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*Lipoma

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Non-painful, benign, subcutaneous nodule, mass, or tumor composed of mature fat cells and can occur anywhere

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*Macule (;1 cm diameter and not raised (can't feel it))

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A circumscribed flat area of discoloration without elevation or depression of surface relative to surrounding skin

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Maculopapular

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Eruption that has both macular and papular features.

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*Melanoma

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A malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes.

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Melasma

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Patchy light to dark brown hyperpigmentation of the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip that results from sun-exposure and is associated with estrogens.

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Milia

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Small white to yellow cysts (1-2 mm) with no visual central puncta.

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*Nevus/nevi (birthmark or mole)

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Group of benign, circumscribed overgrowth of cells composed of tissue elements normally present in the skin

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*Nodule (+1cm in diameter)

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A palpable, solid lesion. Usually found in the dermal or subcutaneous tissue, and the lesion may be above, level with, or below the skin surface

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Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)

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i.e. BCC, SCC, SCCIS

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Onycholysis

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Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. This often begins at free borders of the nail plate, including the distal or lateral edges and usually consists of incomplete separation from the nail bed.

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*Onychomycosis

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Chronic fungal infection of the nails causing chronically thickened, splitting, rough, discolored nails.

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*Papule (;1 cm diameter and raised (can feel it))

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A well-circumscribed, elevated, solid lesion that's usually dome shaped

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Paronychia

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Pus-forming inflammation of the nail fold OR the soft tissues at the proximal and lateral nail borders

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Patch (>1 cm diameter and not raised (can't feel it))

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A circumscribed flat area of discoloration

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Pedunculated

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Elongated stalk of tissue

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Perioral dermatitis

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An acne-like eruption of small erythematous papules and pustules that cluster around the mouth.

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Petechiae (;0.5 cm)

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Small, nonblanching, erythematous macules due to rupture of small blood vessels leading to hemorrhage.

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Photoaged

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Damaged skin (as wrinkles or dark spots), resulting from long term sun exposure

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Pilar Cyst

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A benign cyst commonly found in the scalp, appearing as a flesh-colored, firm but mobile nodule or tumor.

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Pigmentation

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Coloring of a person's skin

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Pityriasis rosea

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A self-limited, generalized eruption of erythematous oval macules and papules that occur along skin cleavage lines of the trunk and extremities and the distribution is often likened to the branches of a Christmas tree.

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*Plaque (>1 cm diameter and raised (can feel it))

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A well-circumscribed, elevated, superficial, solid lesion

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Post-inflammatory pigmentation changes

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Pigmentary changes in the skin following inflammation of the skin that can result in hypopigmented or hyperpigmented lesions

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Pruritus

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Itching

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*Psoriasis

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A chronic condition characterized by an eruption of sharply demarcated, erythematous papules and plaques with overlying silvery scale. Although the lesions can occur anywhere on the skin, the classic distribution is on the scalp, elbows, and knees.

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Purpura

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Nonblanching violaceous (purple) discoloration of the skin due to blood that has extravasated outside of vessel walls. May be palpable or non-palpable.

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Purulent

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Drainage of pus

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*Pustule (< 1 cm in diameter)

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A small, circumscribed superficial elevation of the skin that is filled with purulent material

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*Pyogenic granuloma (PG)

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An acquired, erythematous round papule or nodule that projects from the skin or mucosa. These lesions are made of friable granulation tissue and bleed easily.

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*Rash

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Red, pruritic, or painful change in the skin's appearance due to systemic or localized reaction

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*Rosacea

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Tendency to blush or flush more easily progresses to permanent facial redness

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Scabies

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An infestation of the epidermis with the human mite The typical skin findings include pruritic, excoriated papules on the hands, elbows, axillae, abdomen, genitalia, and feet A diagnostic finding is the burrow

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*Scale

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Accumulation of thickened, horny layer keratin in the form of readily detached fragments

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Sebaceous hyperplasia

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Proliferation of sebaceous glands around a hair follicle. Lesions appear as small (1-3 mm), superficial, yellowish papules with a central pore. Common on the forehead.

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*Seborrheic dermatitis (Seb derm)

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A chronic inflammatory process commonly affecting the face, eyebrows, scalp (dandruff), chest, and perineum. The typical skin findings range from fine white scale to erythematous patches and plaques with greasy, yellowish scale

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*Seborrheic keratosis (SK)

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A superficial benign neoplasm of epidermal cells that presents as a papule or plaque with a characteristic "stuck-on" appearance. These lesions are usually acquired later in life and tend to grow slowly.

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Serpiginous

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Having a waxy margin

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*Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC vs. SCCIS = Squamous cell carcinoma in-situ aka Bowen's Disease)

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A malignant neoplasm of keratinocytes derived from stratified squamous epithelium. Indurated, scaling, erythematous papules, nodules or plaques that occasionally ulcerate and bleed.

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Stasis dermatitis

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Erythematous, pruritic, scaling patches on the lower extremities due to impaired venous circulation. Chronic changes in the lower extremities include edema, skin hyperpigmentation and ulcer formation.

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Telangiectasia

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Small, superficial blood vessels that become visible because they are dilated.

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Telogen effluvium (Stress-induced alopecia)

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A pattern of transient diffuse hair loss due to a stressful event. There is an early and excessive entry of hairs into the telogen (resting) phase and a resultant loss of these hairs two to three months later

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Tinea corporis

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Fungal infection of the skin that presents as well-defined, erythematous, scaling papules or plaques. The lesions are often arranged in an annular configuration and often have an elevated, serpiginous border.

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*Tinea pedis

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Fungal infection of the feet that presents as scaling on the sole of the foot and scaling maceration, small vesicles, fissures, and erosions between the toes. Also known as athlete's foot.

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Tinea versicolor (TV)

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Fungal infection of the skin at the stratum corneum that causes pigmentary changes and scaling in the epidermis. The lesions appear as patches with fine scale and can be pink, tan, or most commonly, white.

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*Ulcer

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Circumscribed area of skin loss extending through the epidermis into the dermis

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Umbilicated

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Having a central depression

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Urticaria (Hives)

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An eruption of transient pruritic, elevated papules and plaques, often with wheals. Each lesion resolves within twenty-four hours. Often seen as a hypersensitivity reaction to drugs, physical triggers (sun, cold, pressure, heat), and foods.

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Variegated

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Exhibiting different colors

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Verrucous

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Warty/wart-like

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Verruca vulgaris (Wart)

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A flesh-colored, firm papule or nodule due to infection of epidermal cells with human papillomaviruses (HPV) Treated with cryotherapy (LN2)

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*Vesicle (;1cm)

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A small, superficial, circumscribed elevation of the skin which contains serous fluid

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Violaceous

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Violet or purple hue.

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Vitiligo

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An acquired condition where melanocytes are absent from affected skin. The typical lesion is a sharply demarcated, depigmented, round or oval macule or patch.

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*Wart

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Benign skin growths that appear when a virus (HPV) infects top layer of skin

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*Wheal

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Transient, circumscribed, elevated papules or plaques, often with erythematous borders and pale centers.

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Xerosis

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Dryness of the skin.

Scribe America – Dermatology Terms & Diagnoses – Flashcards

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