Editing Skin condition (section)

== Diagnoses ==
The physical examination of the skin and its appendages, as well as the mucous membranes, forms the cornerstone of an accurate diagnosis of cutaneous conditions.<ref name="isbn0-7216-8256-1">{{cite book | vauthors = Callen J |title=Color atlas of dermatology |publisher=W.B. Saunders |location=Philadelphia |year=2000 |isbn=0-7216-8256-1 }}</ref> Most of these conditions present with cutaneous surface changes termed "lesions," which have more or less distinct characteristics.<ref name="Andrews" /> Often proper examination will lead the physician to obtain appropriate historical information and/or laboratory tests that are able to confirm the diagnosis.<ref name="isbn0-7216-8256-1" /> Upon examination, the important clinical observations are the (1) morphology, (2) configuration, and (3) distribution of the lesion(s).<ref name="isbn0-7216-8256-1" /> With regard to morphology, the initial lesion that characterizes a condition is known as the "primary lesion", and identification of such a lesions is the most important aspect of the cutaneous examination.<ref name="Andrews" /> Over time, these primary lesions may continue to develop or be modified by regression or trauma, producing "secondary lesions".<ref name="Lookingbill" /> However, with that being stated, the lack of standardization of basic dermatologic terminology has been one of the principal barriers to successful communication among physicians in describing cutaneous findings.<ref name="Fitz">{{cite book | vauthors = Wolff KD, Goldsmith LA |title=Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine | volume = 2 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-07-146690-5 }}</ref> Nevertheless, there are some commonly accepted terms used to describe the macroscopic morphology, configuration, and distribution of skin lesions, which are listed below.<ref name="Andrews">{{cite book | vauthors = James WD, Berger TD, Elston DM, Odom RB |title=Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology |publisher=Saunders Elsevier |year=2006 |isbn=0-7216-2921-0 }}</ref>