
What is an example of a macule?
- Blisters. Small blisters are also called vesicles.
- Macule. Examples of macules are freckles and flat moles.
- Nodule. This is a solid, raised skin lesion.
- Papule. A papule is a raised lesion, and most papules develop with many other papules.
- Pustule.
- Rash.
- Wheals.
What is the medical term for macule?
Medical Definition of Macules Macules: Small circumscribed changes in the color of skin that are neither raised (elevated) nor depressed. Macules are never large. They are basically little spots or blemishes in the skin. The word macule comes from the Latin macula meaning a small spot or blemish.
What is a macule on the skin?
What is Macule?
- Reactions due to some medications
- Inflammatory conditions like allergies
- Infections by viruses such as EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) and bacteria such as hepatitis
What kind of skin lesion is a macule?
Types of primary lesion include: 1
- Bulla : A vesicle that is greater than 0.5 centimeters (cm) or 1/5 of an inch and filled with fluid
- Cyst : A raised, circumscribed area of the skin, filled with fluid or semi-solid fluid
- Macule: A non-palpable, flat lesion that is different in color, and less than 0.5cm in size

What is an example of a macule?
Macules are flat, nonpalpable lesions usually < 10 mm in diameter. Macules represent a change in color and are not raised or depressed compared to the skin surface. A patch is a large macule. Examples include freckles, flat moles, tattoos, and port-wine stains.
How is macule treated?
What treatment options are available for macules?light therapy.topical steroids.surgery.
What is a papule in medical terms?
A papule is a solid or cystic raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.
Are macules cancerous?
Skin Cancer and Macules A macule is not, in and of itself, a sign of skin cancer. While a macule may have an appearance suggestive of cancer, further tests would be needed to confirm or exclude a diagnosis.
Do macules spread?
Macules spread from abdomen to extremities.
Are macules normal?
Macules are a common type of skin lesion. A skin lesion is an area of skin that is different in size, shape, color, or texture from the surrounding skin. Macules are very common in children and adults and occur in at least 1 in 20 people.
What is the difference between macule and papule?
Macule — a small patch of skin that is altered in colour, but is not elevated. Patch — a large area of colour change, with a smooth surface. Papule — elevated, solid, palpable lesion that is ≤ 1 cm in diameter. They may be solitary or multiple.
What are the 5 types of skin lesions?
What are the different types of primary skin lesions?Blisters. Blisters are skin lesions filled with a clear fluid. ... Macules. Macules are small spots that are typically brown, red, or white. ... Nodules. ... Papules. ... Pustules. ... Rashes. ... Wheals.
What is larger than a macule?
A macule is a flat lesion smaller than 1 cm and a patch is a flat lesion larger than 1 cm. Elevated lesions are either solid or fluid-filled.
Can macule be removed?
If treatment is requested the macules can be frozen (cryotherapy) or removed using a laser or intense pulsed light. Excision can also be performed but will leave a scar.
What color are macules?
The colors of macules include shades of brown, due to melanin pigmentation in the epidermis (A), blue, due to melanin or other particulates (like some tattoo pigments) in the der mis (B), red, due to vasodilatation in the dermis without (C), and with (D) inflammatory cells present.
Can a dermatologist tell if a spot is cancerous?
Identify Skin Spots Dermatologists are taught to be able to identify all types of skin cancer. If you notice anything unusual in your self-exam, call the dermatologist and schedule an appointment.
Can macule be removed?
If treatment is requested the macules can be frozen (cryotherapy) or removed using a laser or intense pulsed light. Excision can also be performed but will leave a scar.
How do you treat macules and papules?
Treatment of your rash depends on the cause. For immediate treatment to relieve itching, your doctor may also prescribe antihistamines or topical steroids. You can also use over-the-counter drugs such as hydrocortisone creams or Benadryl.
How is Hypopigmented macules treated?
Your healthcare provider may use a drug called psoralen combined with ultraviolet A (PUVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB). Studies suggest that phototherapy helps treat laser-induced hypopigmentation in skin of color. There aren't any effective treatments for albinism or scars that have hypopigmentation.
What causes Melanotic Macules?
Melanotic macules usually arise from three sources: an intraoral freckle, postinflammatory pigmentation, or disorders such as Addison's disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, or Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. Although the melanotic macule does not develop due to sun exposure, its origin is not conclusive.
What is a macula?
mac·u·lae. ( mak'yū-lă, -ū-lē ), 1. A circumscribed flat area, up to 1 cm in diameter, differing perceptibly in color from the surrounding tissue. See also: spot. See also: neuroepithelium of macula. 2. A small discolored patch or spot on the skin, neither elevated above nor depressed below the skin's surface.
What is a depigmented macule?
Depigmented macules are rectangular, rhomboid, or irregular in shape and usually have a symmetrical distribution.
What is the color of the macules on the back of the chest?
Dermatological examination revealed grayish, hyperpigmented, excoriated macules and plaques on the back and occipital region, and mild hyperpigmentation on the upper chest.
What is a small spot on the skin?
1. A small spot, perceptibly different in color from the surrounding tissue. 2. A small, discolored patch or spot on the skin, neither elevated above nor depressed below the skin's surface. 3. In ocular anatomy, indicates that portion of the retina located within the major vascular arcades, temporal to the optic nerve.
What is a macule?
macule. (măk′yo͞ol′) n. A discolored spot or area on the skin that is not elevated above the surface and is characteristic of certain conditions, such as smallpox, purpura, or roseola. Also called macula.
What is a small spot on the skin?
1. A small spot, perceptibly different in color from the surrounding tissue. 2. A small, discolored patch or spot on the skin, neither elevated above nor depressed below the skin's surface. 3. In ocular anatomy, indicates that portion of the retina located within the major vascular arcades, temporal to the optic nerve.
What is a macula?
macula. [ mak´u-lah] ( L.) 1. a stain, spot, or thickening; in anatomy, an area distinguishable by color or otherwise from its surroundings. Often used alone to refer to the macula retinae. 2. a discolored spot on the skin that is not raised above the surface; called also macule.
What is the macula den sa?
macula den´sa a zone of heavily nucleated cells in the distal renal tubule that feed information to the juxtaglomerular cells.
What is the yellow spot on the macula lutea?
The area of the macula lutea is impregnated by a yellow pigment (macular pigment) in the inner layers and for that reason is often called the yellow spot. Syn. area centralis (although that area is considered to be slightly larger, about 5.5 mm in diameter); punctum luteum. See blue field entoptoscope; fovea centralis; macular pigment.
What is the thickening of the macula sac?
macula sac´culi a thickening on the wall of the saccule where the epithelium contains hair cells that receive and transmit vestibular impulses. macula utri´culi a thickening in the wall of the utricle where the epithelium contains hair cells that are stimulated by linear acceleration and deceleration and by gravity.
Why is the macula yellow?
The macula is the yellow spot in the central retina that is responsible for detailed central vision and the yellow color is the result of high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein & Zeaxanthin may improve visual performance in young people.
What is the name of the part of the ovum where the embryo is formed?
macula germinati´va germinal area; the part of the ovum where the embryo is formed. macula lu´tea ( macula lu´tea re´tinae) ( macula re´tinae) an irregular yellowish depression on the retina, lateral to and slightly below the optic disk; receives and analyzes light only from the center of the visual field.
What is the macula atro phica?
macula atro´phica a white atrophic patch on the skin.
What is a macule?
2 : a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated Target-like macules with a dusky center are usually pathognomonic for the disorder but may not always be present.
What is a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated?
: a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated … erythema migrans is defined as a skin lesion that typically begins as a red macule or papule and expands over a period of days to weeks to form a large round lesion, often with partial central clearing. — Carrie D. Tibbles et al.
What is a macule on the skin?
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. Macules: Small circumscribed changes in the color of skin that are neither raised (elevated) nor depressed. Macules are never large. They are basically little spots or blemishes in the skin.
Where does the word "macule" come from?
The word macule comes from the Latin macula meaning a small spot or blemish.
Is a macule a small bump?
Macules are never large. They are basically little spots or blemishes in the skin. They are entirely flat and can only be appreciated by visual inspection; they cannot be seen from the side. Dermatologists call small flat skin spots on the skin macules, as opposed to papules which are small solid bumps that rise up above ...
What is Macule?
A macule is a lesion of the skin that is altered in color, or differing perceptibly from the surrounding skin tissue. Macules are uncircumscribed, meaning they have distinct borders. By medical definition, if the discolored lesion is flat and less than 1 centimeter (cm) in size, it's a macule. Macules can be found all over the skin, however, most commonly on the chest, back, face, and arms. Many people are born with macules or they can develop over time from exposure to the sun, injuries, or other factors.
What are some examples of macules?
Examples of macules include moles, freckles, acne scars, sun spots, age spots, liver spots, vitiligo, and other spots on the skin that are a small and discolored.
What are the small spots on my skin called?
There are many causes of macule spots on the skin. Ephelis, or freckles, and birthmarks, are types of macules that are small (less than 1 cm), circumscribed, flat, and nonpalpable, discolored spots on the skin. These spots are circumscribed, meaning they have distinct borders, and nonpalpable, meaning they can't be felt. If macules become larger than 1 cm wide, they are called patches, and may be cause for further investigation.
How to get rid of macules?
Alternatively, home remedies may be used to treat or prevent macules from occurring or returning. These treatments include topical creams such as aloe vera or castor oil, green tea extracts and Vitamin E. Some may suggest lemon juice can help reduce the appearance of discolored skin spots. Makeup is also an alternative that can be used to camouflage the appearance of spots.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
Can you bleach macules?
Dermatologists are able to provide more information about the macule and help to treat it if necessary. Treatment isn't necessary , but can include bleaching, cryosurgery, or laser surgery. Generally, protecting oneself from prolonged sun exposure can limit the amount of spots that appear on one's skin.
Can you remove a macule?
Treatments of macules vary depending on the type of macule. Generally, no treatment is needed for macules that are not cause for concern, like birthmarks and skin pigmentation disorders. However, a person may want the macule removed for cosmetic purposes. In this case, there are several options for treatment. While they may not completely go away, treatment may stop further growth and formation of new macules. These include:
What is a macule?
Macules are flat, nonpalpable lesions usually less than 10 mm circle. It represents a change in colour, it can be black or white or any and is not raised or depressed compared to the skin surface. It often requires no treatment, but laser surgery or surgical excision. One example of macule is lichen sclerosus.
What are some examples of macules?
... Examples include nevi, warts, lichen planus, insect bites, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, some lesions of acne, and skin cancers.
What is a macule patch?
Macule is a patch of skin that is changed in color but usually not higher. Its discolored area of skin less than 1 cm wide. It doesn't include any change in the thickness of the skin.
How to tell if a macule is flat?
Macules are flat lesions that are less than 1 cm in size. They are identified by simply looking at them and touching them. If the lesion (such as a dark spot on the skin) isn’t raised and it’s less than 1 cm in size, it’s by definition a macule.
Can you treat macules with laser?
Macules often require no treatment, but laser surgery, cryosurgery, and regular surgical excision of the macule can be performed. Bleaching or peeling agents may help in some instances. In general, the avoidance of sun exposure can limit the appearance of macules on a person's skin.
