Vesicle
Pronunciation: VES-ih-kul
A small, fluid-filled primary skin lesion measuring up to 10 mm in diameter, containing clear serous fluid.
Full Definition
A vesicle is a circumscribed, elevated, fluid-containing lesion of the skin with a diameter of ≤ 10 mm. The fluid is typically serous and translucent. Vesicles are primary lesions seen in herpes simplex, herpes zoster, varicella, and dyshidrotic eczema. Editors must distinguish 'vesicle' from 'bulla' (> 10 mm fluid-filled lesion) and 'pustule' (pus-containing lesion), as conflation in clinical records or manuscripts represents a clinically significant error. In dermatology style, the plural is 'vesicles,' not 'vesiculae.' Measurement thresholds defining vesicle versus bulla should be retained as written and not paraphrased.
Usage
Usage note: Vesicle = ≤ 10 mm, fluid-filled, clear contents. Do not substitute 'blister' in clinical or research contexts. Flag any usage of 'vesiculae' as an incorrect plural.
In Context
- "Grouped vesicles on an erythematous base along the mandibular dermatome confirmed herpes zoster." — Clinical examination note
- "The author described a 15 mm fluid-filled lesion as a vesicle; the editor corrected this to 'bulla.'" — Manuscript correction note