Dermatology Glossary of Terms

Purpura

Bleeding into the skin; does not blanch with pressure.

Pustules

A circumscribed lesion that contains pus.

Scale

Flakes of the horny epithelium.

Scar

A permanent mark composed of fibrous connective tissue.

Telangiectasia

Prominent cutaneous blood vessels.

Tumour

A benign or malignant growth of tissue.

Ulcer

Full-thickness loss of the epidermis.

Vesicles

Small blisters.

Weals

Transient elevation of the skin due to dermal oedema.

Abscess

A localised collection of pus.

Atrophy

A component of the skin has shrunk.

Bulla

A large blister.

Crust

Dried serum, blood or pus.

Erosion

A sore due to superficial destruction of surface tissue.

Erythema

Red skin due to increased blood supply.

Excoriation

Loss of the skin surface due to scratching or injury.

Fissure

A split, crack, erosion, or narrow ulceration.

Infarct

Black areas of necrotic tissue due to interrupted blood supply.

Lichenification

Thickened skin with increased skin markings due to chronic rubbing.

Macule

A patch of skin that is altered in colour but is not elevated.

Nodule

An elevated solid lesion > 1 cm.

Papules

Elevated solid lesions ≤ 1 cm.

Patch

A large area of colour change.

Plaque

A circumscribed, palpable lesion more than 1 cm in diameter with a flat top.