Skin fissure

Schematic image comparing a skin fissure to an erosion and an ulcer.
The surface of the knuckles of a hand with xeroderma, showing skin cracking (generalized skin fissuring).

A skin fissure is a cutaneous condition in which there is a linear-like cleavage of skin, sometimes defined as extending into the dermis.[1] It is smaller than a skin laceration.

Generalized

A skin area on which there are many skin fissures is called cracked skin, and is most commonly a result of skin dryness. Ichthyosis is a genetic disorder where there is often severe skin cracking.

References

  1. ↑ Primary Care Dermatology Module > Nomenclature of Skin Lesions > 18. FISSURE By Gary Williams, M.D. and Murray Katcher, M.D. Ph.D, Department of Pediatrics. The University of Wisconsin


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