Dermatologic nomenclature

Primary lesions

Dermatology Nomenclature

Small lesions (<0.5cm)

Name	Raised/Palpable	Fluid-Filled	Other Description	Diagram
Macule	No	None	flat, cirumscribed, colored
Papule	Yes	None	Solid
Vesicle	Yes	Clear
Pustule	Yes	Pus	Leukocytes or keratin

Large lesions (>0.5cm)

Name	Raised/Palpable	Fluid-Filled	Other Description	Diagram
Patch	No	None	Large macule (flat, colored)
Plaque	Yes	None	Superficially raised, circumscribed solid area
Nodule	Yes	None	Distinct large papule
Bulla	Yes	Clear	Large vesicle/blister or exposed epidermal layer
Wheal	Yes	Edema	Firm and edema of dermis

Other

Ulcer, fissue, and erosion

• Eschar
• Fissure/erosion/ulcer
• Necrotizing rashes

Secondary lesions

Section One

• Scales – dead epidermal cells (dry white dandruff)
• Cursts – dead epidermal cells + serum (oily secretions)/pus
• Erosion –focal effacement of epidermis
• Ulcer – focal effacement of epidermis +dermis
• Fissure – linear crack into epidermis +dermis
• Atrophy – thinning of epidermis +dermis
• Scar – healed skin with connective and epithelialized granulation tissue
• Lichenification – thickened epidermis
• Petechia – non-blanching, micro- hemorrhages (3mm) into the dermis
• Purpura - non-blanching, small hemorrhage (0.5-1cm) into dermis
• Ecchymoses – large area of hemorrhage into dermis (a.k.a bruising)

See Also

• Rashes
• Visual diagnosis