Skip to main content
. 2021 Jul 23;21(10):376–383. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2021.05.007

Table 2.

Basic descriptive terms for cutaneous lesions2

Term Definition
Macule Flat, circumscribed, non-palpable lesion that differs in colour from the surrounding skin; it can be any colour or shape (≤1 cm); referred to as a patch if >1 cm
Papule Elevated, solid, palpable lesion that is ≤1 cm in diameter
Plaque Circumscribed, palpable lesion >1 cm in diameter; most plaques are elevated; plaques may result from a coalescence of papules
Nodule Elevated, solid, palpable lesion >1 cm usually located primarily in the dermis or subcutis; the greatest portion of the lesion may be exophytic or beneath the skin surface
Weal Transient elevation of the skin caused by dermal oedema, often pale centrally with an erythematous rim
Vesicle Circumscribed lesion ≤1 cm in diameter that contains liquid (clear, serous or haemorrhagic)
Bulla Circumscribed lesion >1 cm in diameter that contains liquid (clear, serous or haemorrhagic)
Pustule Circumscribed lesion that contains pus
Scale Visible accumulation of keratin, forming a flat plate or flake
Crust Dried serum, blood or pus on the surface of the skin
Erosion Loss of either a portion of or the entire epidermis
Excoriation Loss of the epidermis and a portion of the dermis caused by scratching or an exogenous injury
Ulcer Full-thickness loss of the epidermis plus at least a portion of the dermis; it may extend into the subcutaneous tissue