Primary lesions •
Macule: A macule is a change in surface color, without elevation or depression, so nonpalpable, well or ill-defined, a circumscribed, epidermal elevation generally considered less than either 5 •
Cyst: A cyst is an epithelial-lined cavity. a lesion that is moist, circumscribed, and usually depressed. •
Excoriation: A punctate or linear
abrasion produced by mechanical means (often scratching), usually involving only the epidermis, but commonly reaching the
papillary dermis. •
Phyma: A
tubercle on any external part of the body, such as in
phymatous rosacea Configuration "Configuration" refers to how lesions are locally grouped ("organized"), which contrasts with how they are distributed (see next section). •
Agminate: in clusters •
Annular or
circinate: ring-shaped •
Arciform or
arcuate: arc-shaped •
Digitate: with finger-like projections •
Discoid or
nummular: round or disc-shaped •
Figurate: with a particular shape •
Guttate: resembling drops •
Gyrate: coiled or spiral-shaped •
Herpetiform: resembling
herpes •
Linear •
Mammillated: with rounded, breast-like projections •
Reticular or
reticulated: resembling a net •
Serpiginous: with a wavy border •
Stellate: star-shaped •
Targetoid: resembling a
bullseye •
Verrucous or Verruciform: wart-like
Distribution "Distribution" refers to how lesions are localized. They may be confined to a single area (a patch) or may be in several places. Some distributions correlate with the means by which a given area becomes affected. For example, contact dermatitis correlates with locations where an allergen has elicited an allergic immune response.
Varicella zoster virus is known to recur (after its initial presentation as
chicken pox) as
herpes zoster ("shingles"). Chicken pox appears nearly everywhere on the body, but herpes zoster tends to follow one or two dermatomes; for example, the eruptions may appear along the bra line, on either or both sides of the patient. •
Generalized •
Symmetric: one side mirrors the other •
Flexural: on the front of the fingers •
Extensor: on the back of the fingers •
Intertriginous: in an area where two skin areas may touch or rub together •
Morbilliform: resembling
measles •
Palmoplantar: on the palm of the hand or bottom of the foot •
Periorificial: around an orifice such as the mouth •
Periungual/subungual: around or under a fingernail or toenail •
Blaschkoid: following the path of
Blaschko's lines in the skin •
Photodistributed: in places where sunlight reaches •
Zosteriform or
dermatomal: associated with a particular nerve
Other related terms • Collarette •
Comedo •
Confluent •
Eczema (a type of dermatitis) •
Evanescent (lasting less than 24 hours) •
Granuloma •
Livedo •
Purpura •
Erythema (redness) • Horn (a cell type) •
Poikiloderma == Histopathology ==