petechia
Noun: A petechia is a very small, flat, round red or purple spot that appears on the skin or a mucous membrane (such as inside the mouth). It is caused by minor bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels. These spots do not turn white (blanch) when pressed. The presence of multiple petechiae (the plural form) can be a sign of various medical conditions.
- The doctor noted petechiae on the patient's lower legs, which prompted further blood tests.
- A single petechia might be caused by something minor, like a straining cough, but widespread petechiae require medical evaluation.
- In some serious infections, petechial rash is a key diagnostic sign.
- Petechial (adjective): Describing something that has the appearance or characteristics of petechiae.
- The patient presented with a petechial rash.*
- The term is often used in its plural form, petechiae, as they rarely appear in isolation.
- Petechiae (plural noun): More than one petechia.
- Petechial (adjective): Of or relating to petechiae (e.g., a petechial hemorrhage).
- Blood spot
- Pinpoint hemorrhage
While a petechia is a specific type of skin lesion resulting from micro-hemorrhage, it is distinct from: * Ecchymosis: A larger, bruise-like patch of bleeding under the skin. * Purpura: A term for purple-colored spots and patches on the skin, mucous membranes, and organs, which can be composed of confluent petechiae. The appearance of petechiae is often associated with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), vascular inflammation, or physical trauma.
- a minute red or purple spot on the surface of the skin as the result of tiny hemorrhages of blood vessels in the skin (as in typhoid fever)