Definition

A tiny red or purple spot on the skin or mucous membrane caused by bleeding under the skin.

Example

The doctor noticed several petechiae on the patient's arm during the examination.

Conversation

I noticed some strange spots on my arm recently.

Oh no, what do they look like?

They seem like little red dots; I think they might be petechia.

You should definitely get that checked out just to be safe.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Petechia → It originates from Latin 'petechia', which is derived from the Greek 'petechia' (meaning a small spot or stain). The term refers to small, pinpoint-sized hemorrhages in the skin or mucous membranes.

Memory Tip

Think of a small 'spot' or 'stain' on the skin, which is what petechia refers to.

Visually Confused Words