Nodule
What is it?
A nodule is a solid lump in or under the skin that is larger than 1 centimeter (about the size of a marble or larger). Unlike surface bumps, nodules extend deeper into the skin layers, so you might feel them more than see them. They can be thought of as three-dimensional lesions - having height, width, and depth. Some nodules are visible as raised bumps, while others are only felt when pressing on the skin.
What does it look like?
Nodules have varied appearances:
- Solid lumps ranging from marble-sized to golf ball-sized or larger
- Surface appearance: May cause visible skin elevation or be hidden beneath
- Shape: Usually round or oval, sometimes irregular
- Color: Skin-colored, red, purple, brown, or unchanged overlying skin
- Consistency: Can be soft (lipomas), firm (cysts), or hard (some cancers)
- Mobility: Some move freely under the skin, others are fixed in place
- Surface skin: May be normal, stretched, shiny, or show dilated blood vessels
Where does it appear?
Nodules can develop anywhere:
- Face and scalp: Cysts, skin cancers
- Neck: Lymph nodes, thyroid nodules, cysts
- Arms and legs: Lipomas, dermatofibromas, rheumatoid nodules
- Trunk and back: Lipomas, cysts, neurofibromas
- Hands and feet: Ganglion cysts, rheumatoid nodules
- Any location: Various benign and malignant growths
Associated features
Nodules may be accompanied by:
- No symptoms (many are discovered incidentally)
- Tenderness or pain, especially if inflamed
- Gradual growth over months to years
- Skin color changes over the nodule
- Drainage if the nodule ruptures (cysts)
- Multiple similar nodules (genetic conditions)
- Restricted movement if near joints
- Concern about cosmetic appearance
When to see a doctor
Seek prompt medical attention for:
- Any new nodule that appears in adults
- Rapidly growing nodules
- Hard, fixed nodules that don't move
- Nodules with irregular borders
- Painful or tender nodules
- Nodules with overlying skin changes
- Multiple new nodules appearing
- Any nodule you're concerned about - most benefit from evaluation
References
Primary Sources
Description of Skin Lesions - Merck Manual Professional Edition (2024)
- URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/approach-to-the-dermatologic-patient/description-of-skin-lesions
- Key findings: Nodules as firm lesions extending into dermis or subcutaneous tissue
Terminology in Dermatology - DermNet NZ (2024)
- URL: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/terminology
- Key findings: Nodule as elevated solid lesion >1cm in deeper skin layers
Benign Skin Lesions Overview - Medscape Dermatology (2024)
- URL: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1294801-overview
- Key findings: Clinical approach to evaluating cutaneous nodules
Additional Sources
- Primary Skin Lesions - UTMB Dermatology - URL: https://www.utmb.edu/pedi_ed/CoreV2/Dermatology/page_07.htm - Accessed: 2025-09-30
- Clinical Dermatology Morphology - AccessMedicine - URL: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/ - Accessed: 2025-09-30
Research Notes
- URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ - Topic researched: Nodule definition, depth characteristics
- URL: https://dermnetnz.org/ - Topic researched: Common nodular conditions, clinical evaluation