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Definition

noun

Tiny bluish white spots surrounded by reddish zone that occur on the lining of the cheek near the Stenson's duct, and are manifested in the early stages of measles, prior to skin rash formation

Supplement

The presence of Koplik spots is a pathognomonic sign of measles. It occurs prior to skin eruption, and then fades (when the measles rash forms).

Word origin: from the name of the American pediatrician, Henry Koplik, who first described it in writing (1896)

See also:

• measles

Mentioned in:

• Rubeola