plantar wart, a painful verrucous lesion on the sole of the foot, primarily at points of pressure, such as over the metatarsal heads and the heel. Caused by the common wart virus, it appears as a soft central core and is surrounded by a firm hyperkeratotic ring resembling a callus. Multiple tiny black spots on the surface represent bits of coagulated blood. It is distinguished from a callus in that skin markings are interrupted by a plantar wart. Treatment methods include excision, electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, laser treatment, topical acids, and use of cantharidin. See also mosaic wart.
