Which characteristic allows papules to be distinguished from macules?

Papules are distinguished from macules primarily by their elevation. While both papules and macules can appear as discolored spots on the skin, the key difference is that papules are raised above the skin's surface, creating a palpable bump. This elevation is a defining characteristic, as macules are flat, non-palpable lesions that do not have any elevation above the surrounding skin.

Though color change and size can differ between the two types of lesions, these characteristics alone do not provide a definitive way to categorize them. Fluid-filled lesions are a description of vesicles or blisters and are not pertinent to distinguishing between papules and macules. Therefore, the characteristic of elevation is crucial in differentiating papules from macules in dermatological assessments.