Knowra Skin lesion Skin lesion A skin lesion is a localized abnormality in the skin’s appearance, texture, or structure. It may arise directly in the skin or result from another process.
Primary skin lesion : A lesion that develops directly from a disease process in the skin. Macules, papules, and blisters are primary forms defined by their initial appearance.
ABCDE rule : A checklist of asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolution used to assess pigmented lesions for melanoma. It organizes warning features in a changing pigmented lesion.
Cutaneous inflammation : An immune response in the skin that can cause redness, swelling, warmth, and altered texture. Inflammation produces many lesions and explains their visible changes.
Melanocytic nevus : A usually benign skin growth formed by clusters of melanocytes, commonly called a mole. It is a common pigmented lesion that can resemble melanoma.
Secondary skin lesion : A skin change produced by the evolution, healing, or alteration of an earlier lesion. Crusts, scales, and scars can emerge as a primary lesion changes.
Dermoscopy : A noninvasive examination of skin using magnification and illumination to reveal subsurface structures. It helps distinguish patterns that are difficult to see with unaided inspection.
Keratinization : The process by which epidermal cells produce keratin and form the skin’s protective outer layer. Disruption can produce thickening, scale, or other surface abnormalities.
Melanoma : A malignant tumor arising from melanocytes, with potential to invade and spread to distant sites. Its resemblance to benign pigmented lesions makes recognition of change important.
Macule : A flat, circumscribed change in skin color without a change in surface texture or thickness. It is the flat, color-only form in the lesion vocabulary.
Skin biopsy : Removal of a skin sample for microscopic examination or other laboratory testing. Tissue sampling can resolve uncertainty about a lesion’s cause.
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