Louisiana Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What is the term used to describe an opening or a groove in the skin caused by dryness?

1. Fissure

2. Lesion

3. Cyst

4. Scar

The correct answer is: Fissure

The term used to describe an opening or groove in the skin specifically caused by dryness is a fissure. Fissures are cracks that occur in the epidermis and can often be seen in areas where the skin has become excessively dry, resulting in a painful and sometimes bleeding condition. This is distinct from other terms; for example, a lesion is a general term that encompasses a wide variety of skin irregularities, including wounds or abnormal tissue, without specifically referring to dryness. A cyst refers to a closed sac under the skin filled with fluid or semisolid material and typically does not involve dryness. Lastly, a scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed, unrelated to the condition of skin being dry. Thus, in the context of the question regarding dryness, fissure is the precise term that accurately describes the symptom.