Derm Glossary Flashcards
Acantholysis
microscopic term
detachment of keratinocytes from each other due to loss of intercellular contacts. This often is associated with the cell assuming a spherical shape, i.e., a round profile in sections. This can occur in both tumors (acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma) or blistering disorders (pemphigus).
Acanthosis
microscopic term
increase in keratinocyte population of spinous layer with thickening of the epidermis; may be papillomatous or psoriasiform
Adventitial dermis
microscopic term
the investment of fine collagen fibers and delicate blood and lymphatic vessels which surround the epidermal appendages. The papillary dermis is continuous with the adventitial dermis as the appendages penetrate through the papillary dermis and enter into the reticular dermis
Apoptosis
microscopic term
a general process of cell death as individual cell necrosis; in skin, it often leads to a residual body containing many keratin filaments, which resemble amyloid. The residual bodies are often called “colloid bodies” (ex. lichen planus).
Annular
distribution term
grouped (clustered) as round rings
Arciform
distribution term
grouped (clustered) as incomplete rings, arcs
Ballooning Degeneration
Microscopic term
intracellular edema with cellular swelling. This is often secondary to viral injury or nutritional deficiency (ex. herpes simplex or zoster).
Bulle
Gross descriptive term
a circumscribed lesion, greater than 5 mm. in diameter, that is elevated and contains fluid. Also called “blister”.
Crust
Gross descriptive term
dried serum, blood, or pus on the surface. Also called a “scab”.
Dermis
Gross + microscopic descriptive term
the collagenous layer between the epidermis and subcutaneous layer. See also papillary, reticular, and adventitial dermis.
Dyskeratosis
microscopic term
cell death associated with premature keratinization below the level of the stratum granulosum
Erosion
Gross descriptive term
a moist, circumscribed, usually depressed lesion that results from loss of all or a portion of the viable epidermis; may heal without scarring
Excoriation
Gross descriptive term
traumatic erosion or ulcer which often is linear, e.g., a deep scratch
Exocytosis
microscopic term
emigration of inflammatory or neoplastic cells into the epidermis.
Herpetiform
distribution term
grouped as clusters of vesicles
Hypergranulosis
microscopic term
increase in thickness of the granular layer
Hyperkeratosis
microscopic term
increased thickness of stratum corneum, whether by normal or abnormal keratinocytes
Lichenification
Gross descriptive term
thickened skin, with accentuated skin markings
Linear
distribution term
in a line, continuous or broken; may be secondary to trauma, or follow vessels or nerves. (F1) shows a poison-ivy-like lesion of contact dermatitis in a linear distribution
Macule
Gross descriptive term
a circumscribed, flat lesion differing in color from the surrounding skin; may be of any size.
Melanophage
distribution term
macrophage which has ingested melanin pigment lost from the melanocytes or keratinocytes.
Nodule
Gross descriptive term
a palpable, solid, round or ellipsoidal lesion. Usually more than 1 cm. in diameter, but may be smaller. May be deep in the dermis or subcutis, or be superficial
Orthokeratosis
microscopic term
process of normal keratinization which leads to the production of a stratum corneum composed of anucleate squames
Papillary dermis
microscopic term
the portion of the dermis that extends from the basement membrane down to and including the superficial vascular plexus. It contains finer collagen bundles and elastin fibers than the reticular dermis.
Papillomatosis
microscopic term
increase in keratinocytes with formation of projections from the surface of the skin, i.e. papillae; typical example is a wart.
Papule
Gross descriptive term
a small, solid, elevated lesion, less than 1 cm. in diameter, usually superficial and mostly projecting from the surface.
Patch
Gross descriptive term
a large macule or large thin plaque
Plaque
Gross descriptive term
a mesa-like elevation that occupies a relatively large surface area (more than 1 cm.). These may be formed by the coalescence of papules
Poikiloderma
Gross descriptive term
usually a plaque (less often a macule) that has the combination of atrophy, telangiectasia, and pigmentary alteration (hyperpigmentation and/or
Hypopigmentation ).
Polycyclic
distribution term
grouped (clustered) as irregular rings
Psoriasiform Epidermal Hyperplasia
microscopic term
increase in keratinocytes with elongation of rete ridges and elongation of dermal papillae; typical example is psoriasis.
Pustule
Gross descriptive term
a circumscribed, raised lesion containing pus.
Random
distribution term
random distribution of lesions on the skin
Reticular dermis
microscopic term
the portion of the dermis that extends from the superficial vascular plexus down to the subcutis. It contains larger collagen bundles and elastin fibers than the papillary dermis.
Scale
Gross descriptive term
dry, horny, platelike excrescence, usually composed of abnormally shed or accumulated stratum corneum.
Spongiosis
microscopic term
widening of the interspaces between keratinocytes due to edema fluid without detachment of cells from each other, except when vesicles form, (edema in the epidermis).
Ulcer
Gross descriptive term
a lesion in which there has been destruction of the epidermis and which goes into the papillary or reticular dermis or even deeper; usually heals with scarring.
Vacuolar Change (vacuolization)
microscopic term
the formation of vacuoles within cells. This term is used often in reference to changes in the basal keratinocytes (ex. Lupus, erythema multiforme)
Vesicle
Gross descriptive term
a circumscribed lesion, 5 mm. in diameter or less, that is elevated and contains fluid. Also called “blister”
Wheal
Gross descriptive term
a rounded or flat-topped elevated lesion that characteristically is evanescent, disappearing within hours; also called an urticarial lesion or “hive”.
