Derm Glossary

Question 1

Acantholysis

Answer 1

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).

Question 2

Acanthosis

Answer 2

microscopic term

increase in keratinocyte population of spinous layer with thickening of the epidermis; may be papillomatous or psoriasiform

Question 3

Adventitial dermis

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Apoptosis

Answer 4

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).

Question 5

Annular

Answer 5

distribution term

grouped (clustered) as round rings

Question 6

Arciform

Answer 6

distribution term

grouped (clustered) as incomplete rings, arcs

Question 7

Ballooning Degeneration

Answer 7

Microscopic term

intracellular edema with cellular swelling. This is often secondary to viral injury or nutritional deficiency (ex. herpes simplex or zoster).

Question 8

Bulle

Answer 8

Gross descriptive term

a circumscribed lesion, greater than 5 mm. in diameter, that is elevated and contains fluid. Also called “blister”.

Question 9

Crust

Answer 9

Gross descriptive term

dried serum, blood, or pus on the surface. Also called a “scab”.

Question 10

Dermis

Answer 10

Gross + microscopic descriptive term

the collagenous layer between the epidermis and subcutaneous layer. See also papillary, reticular, and adventitial dermis.

Question 11

Dyskeratosis

Answer 11

microscopic term

cell death associated with premature keratinization below the level of the stratum granulosum

Question 12

Erosion

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Excoriation

Answer 13

Gross descriptive term

traumatic erosion or ulcer which often is linear, e.g., a deep scratch

Question 14

Exocytosis

Answer 14

microscopic term

emigration of inflammatory or neoplastic cells into the epidermis.

Question 15

Herpetiform

Answer 15

distribution term

grouped as clusters of vesicles

Question 16

Hypergranulosis

Answer 16

microscopic term

increase in thickness of the granular layer

Question 17

Hyperkeratosis

Answer 17

microscopic term

increased thickness of stratum corneum, whether by normal or abnormal keratinocytes

Question 18

Lichenification

Answer 18

Gross descriptive term

thickened skin, with accentuated skin markings

Question 19

Linear

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Macule

Answer 20

Gross descriptive term

a circumscribed, flat lesion differing in color from the surrounding skin; may be of any size.

Question 21

Melanophage

Answer 21

distribution term

macrophage which has ingested melanin pigment lost from the melanocytes or keratinocytes.

Question 22

Nodule

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Orthokeratosis

Answer 23

microscopic term

process of normal keratinization which leads to the production of a stratum corneum composed of anucleate squames

Question 24

Papillary dermis

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Papillomatosis

Answer 25

microscopic term

increase in keratinocytes with formation of projections from the surface of the skin, i.e. papillae; typical example is a wart.

Question 26

Papule

Answer 26

Gross descriptive term

a small, solid, elevated lesion, less than 1 cm. in diameter, usually superficial and mostly projecting from the surface.

Question 27

Patch

Answer 27

Gross descriptive term

a large macule or large thin plaque

Question 28

Plaque

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Poikiloderma

Answer 29

Gross descriptive term

usually a plaque (less often a macule) that has the combination of atrophy, telangiectasia, and pigmentary alteration (hyperpigmentation and/or
Hypopigmentation ).

Question 30

Polycyclic

Answer 30

distribution term

grouped (clustered) as irregular rings

Question 31

Psoriasiform Epidermal Hyperplasia

Answer 31

microscopic term

increase in keratinocytes with elongation of rete ridges and elongation of dermal papillae; typical example is psoriasis.

Question 32

Pustule

Answer 32

Gross descriptive term

a circumscribed, raised lesion containing pus.

Question 33

Random

Answer 33

distribution term

random distribution of lesions on the skin

Question 34

Reticular dermis

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

Scale

Answer 35

Gross descriptive term

dry, horny, platelike excrescence, usually composed of abnormally shed or accumulated stratum corneum.

Question 36

Spongiosis

Answer 36

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).

Question 37

Ulcer

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Vacuolar Change (vacuolization)

Answer 38

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)

Question 39

Vesicle

Answer 39

Gross descriptive term

a circumscribed lesion, 5 mm. in diameter or less, that is elevated and contains fluid. Also called “blister”

Question 40

Wheal

Answer 40

Gross descriptive term

a rounded or flat-topped elevated lesion that characteristically is evanescent, disappearing within hours; also called an urticarial lesion or “hive”.