MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Polyarteritis, microscopic on the shin

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Polyarteritis, microscopic on the shin

This is a picture of microscopic polyarteritis on the shin. The term polyarteritis means that many blood vessels are inflamed. These nodules are located just below the skin's surface (subcutaneous), are barely felt when pressing on the skin (palpable), and are tender. The skin is typically red (erythematous).

Update Date: 8/22/2006

Updated by: Lisa Christopher-Stine, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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