MaculeA macule is a small, circumscribed portion of skin, in which has occurred some alteration in its color, but without any secretion, effusion, infiltration, or change in its thickness or consistence. The macule itself may be white from loss of pigment, red from congestion, or dark or black from increase of pigment. The principal diseases in which it occurs, and chief features, are: - Chloasma, in which the macule or discoloration is somewhat diffuse, occurring on the forehead and cheeks, and is of a brownish color.
- Erythema; The maeules are of varying size of a red dish color.
- Ephelis; Maeules of a yellowish to a dark brown color. Chiefly found on the exposed parts of the body.
- Lentigo; Small, dark-brown maeules scattered over the surface, on the covered as well as on the uncovered portions.
- Lentigo maligna; Very dark maeules, from the size of a large pin-head to that of a pea, later becoming infiltrated, and sometimes ulcerating.
- Leprosy; Brownish maeules of varying size.
- Leucoderma; White or light-pinkish maeules, surrounded by a dark border.
- Lupus; Minute reddish-brown or ham-colored.
- Naevus; Red or purplish, disappearing on firm pressure.
- Purpura; Red or purplish, not disappearing on pressure.
- Rosacea; Rosy macules.
- Syphilis; (a) Reddish macules, appearing in early syphilis, chiefly on the chest, abdomen and back; (b) Macules resembling those of leucoderma, and met with about the neck in young women in the early period of the disease.
- Xanthelasma; Yellowish macules, chiefly met with about the eyelids. A vesicle is a small elevation of the horny layer of the epidermis, by the effusion of a serous fluid.
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