What is the medical term for a wart?

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The correct answer is "verruca," which is the medical term specifically used to describe a wart. Warts are benign epithelial tumors caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The term "verruca" encompasses various types of warts, including common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, all of which differ in appearance and location but share the underlying viral etiology.

Understanding this terminology is essential for proper medical documentation and communication, as it provides specificity in describing the condition. In contrast, the other terms listed refer to broader categories or different characteristics of skin abnormalities:

  • "Nodule" refers to a solid, raised lesion that is usually larger than a papule and can occur in various conditions, not limited to warts.

  • "Lesion" is a general term for any abnormal area of tissue, which could include anything from a sore or wound to tumors or other skin conditions.

  • "Papule" describes a small, raised bump on the skin that is usually less than 1 cm in diameter. While some warts can classify as papules, not all papules are warts, making this term too broad for the specific context of a wart.

Using "verruca" accurately

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