lesion
/ˈliːʒən/
A clinical, sterile term used to describe any abnormal change in the structure of a tissue. Unlike "wound" (which implies an acute break in skin) or "sore" (which suggests pain and inflammation), a lesion is a descriptive category that encompasses everything from a tiny blister to a deep internal tumor. It carries a neutral, diagnostic connotation. In a medical context, it identifies the 'what' and 'where' of a pathology without necessarily assigning a cause or prognosis immediately. It is the preferred term in radiology, dermatology, and neurology to maintain professional objectivity.
💬Casual Conversation
DID THE DOCTOR CALL ABOUT THAT LESION? I AM STILL SO UPSET.
Mom, it's fine. Just a benign thing. Nothing to dwell on.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
skin lesion
An area of damaged or diseased tissue on the skin.
The doctor examined the suspicious skin lesion on his arm.
brain lesion
An area of damage or abnormality in the brain.
An MRI scan revealed a small brain lesion.
liver lesion
An abnormal area of tissue found in the liver.
Further tests were needed to determine the nature of the liver lesion.
focal lesion
A lesion that is localized to a specific area.
The biopsy confirmed it was a focal lesion.
pathological lesion
A lesion caused by a disease process.
The pathologist identified the pathological lesion under the microscope.