Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- Anonymised
- Altered so the person cannot be identified. Cropping out a face is not enough if a tattoo or birthmark would identify them.
- Baseline image
- The first photograph of a lesion, kept so later ones can be compared against it.
- Blue-white veil
- A dermoscopic appearance that can indicate a melanoma.
- Dermatoscope
- A magnifying instrument with a light that shows structures below the skin surface.
- Dermoscopy
- Looking at a lesion through a dermatoscope.
- Interval review
- A follow-up appointment at a set time to check a lesion again.
- Pattern analysis
- Judging a lesion by its overall structure rather than by scoring individual features.
- Polarised light
- A type of lighting that cuts surface glare so deeper structures can be seen.
- Reticular network
- A net-like pattern seen under a dermatoscope, usually a normal finding.
- Scale marker
- A small ruler placed in a photograph so size can be measured accurately.
- Special category data
- Sensitive personal information, including anything about health, which the law protects more strictly.
- Seven-point checklist
- A scoring system that adds up defined dermoscopic features to guide whether to refer.