Plaque (medicine)

Plaque

Psoriasis plaque
Specialty| Dermatology[1]
Symptoms| >1cm slightly elevated skin lesion[1]

A plaque is a thickened area of skin resulting from a merger of many small bumps.[1][2] It is typically wider than 1cm and feels different to surrounding skin.[3] It may be flat-topped or rounded, is slightly elevated and may have a slight dip in the centre.[1][3] Plaque edges can be well-defined or ill-defined.[2]

## Definition[edit | edit source]

Papule and plaque

A plaque is a flat, thickened area of skin resulting from a merger of many small bumps.[1] The term originates from the French word for plate.[2]

They can be of various shapes; annular, arcuate, polygonal, polymorphic, serpiginous, or poikilodermatous.[2]

## Causes[edit | edit source]

* Granuloma annulare

* Lichen planus

* Mycosis fungoides

* Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "2. Cutaneous signs and diagnosis". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Elsevier. p. 11\. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Terminology in dermatology". dermnetnz.org. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Description of Skin Lesions - Dermatologic Disorders". MSD Manual Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.