1. Clinical and Histological Descriptive Terms Flashcards
Dyskeratosis
Abnormal, premature keratinization of keratinocytes below the granular cell layer; often have brightly eosinophilic cytoplasm
Acantholysis
Loss of intercellular connections (desmosomes) between keratinocytes; causes change in cell shape from polygonal to round
Spongiosis and vesicles
Intraepidermal edema, causing splaying apart of keratinocytes in stratum spinosum, and vesicles due to shearing of desmosomes
Hypergranulosis
Hyperplasia of the stratum granulosum, often due to intense rubbing
Acanthosis
thickening of epidermis (squamous layer); rete ridges usually extend deeper into the dermis
Parakeratosis
Cells of cornified layer retain their nuclei, often less prominent or absent granular layer; normal for mucous membranes
Hyperkeratosis
Thickened cornified layer, often with a prominent granular layer
Onycholysis
separation of nail plate
Telangiectasia
A visible persistent dilation of small, superficial cutaneous blood vessels, may blanch
Erythema
Redness of skin due to increased blood flow, NOT leakage of blood into the skin, may blanch
Purpura
Extravasation of red blood cells into the skin or mucous membranes
Crust
A hardened layer that results when serum, blood, or purulent exudate dries on the skin surface
Scale
Dry, plate like excrescence usually due excess stratum corneum
Wheals
Itchy, transient, elevated area with variable blanching and erythema, due to dermal edema
Excoriations
Deep linear scratch that is often self-induced
Fissure
Canyon-like crack through the epidermis and into the dermis; NO tissue lost
Ulceration
Discontinuity of skin causing complete loss of epidermis and possible loss of dermis
Erosion
Discontinuity of skin causing partial loss of epidermis
Pustule
Intraepidermal or subepidermal vesicle or bullae filled with pus
Blister
Vesicle or bullae
Cyst
Encapsulated cavity or sac lined by true epithelium
Tumor
Solid, palpable, > 20 mm
Nodule
Solid, palpable, > 10 mm
Plaque
Elevated flat-topped area, usually > 10 mm
Papule
Elevated solid area, < 10 mm
Patch
Flat discoloration > 1 cm
Macule
Circumscribed flat colored area < 1 cm
Punch Biopsy
Removal of a “core” of tissue to establish a definitive diagnosis or to remove a small lesion
Shave Biopsy
Removal of a “shave” of tissue to a remove superficial lesion and/or to establish a diagnosis
What type of lesion should you try to biopsy?
primary
What stage should you biopsy?
diagnostic stage, not ruptured bullae, secondarily infected/scratched areas or involuting lesions
What does a biopsy do?
Captures histopathology only at one point in time in the evolution of a lesion
How should you take a biopsy?
Try to include a margin with both lesion and surrounding normal skin
What is integument?
Composed of skin and skin appendages
What is the role of integument?
Protects deeper tissues from injury, drying and invasion by foreign organisms
What vitamin does integument metabolizes?
Vitamin D
Does integument contain peripheral endings of sensory nerves?
yes
What are the histological layers of the skin?
Epidermis
papillary dermis
reticular dermis (hair follicles and sebaceous glands)
subcutis
What are the layers of the epidermis?
Stratum corneum
stratum lucidum
stratum granulosum
stratum spinosum
stratum basale
