Dermatopathology

Question 1

acantholysis

Answer 1

detachment of epidermal cells, particularly those of the stratum spinosum from one another due to breakdown of intercellular bridges, resulting in the formation of intraepidermal vesicles

Question 2

acantholytic cells/acanthocytes

Answer 2

detached cells within vesicles

Question 3

acanthosis

Answer 3

increased thickness of stratum spinosum due to hyperplasia (true acanthosis) or hypertrophy (pseudoacanthosis)

Question 4

alopecia

Answer 4

loss of hair

Question 5

apoptosis

Answer 5

the process of an individual cell death characterized by rounded, individualized brightly eosinophilic keratinocytes; present at all levels of the epidermis

Question 6

apoptotic body/civatte body/colloid body/hyaline body

Answer 6

a round eosinophilic cellular extrusion formed by degenerating basal cells dropped off in the lower epidermis or upper dermis

Question 7

atopy

Answer 7

a hypersensitivity state subject to hereditary influences

Question 8

ballooning degeneration

Answer 8

refers to a specific degenerative change in epidermal cells characterized by swollen, pale eosinophilic cytoplasm with intracellular edema and without vacuolation

Question 9

calcinosis

Answer 9

abnormal deposits of calcium in tissue

Question 10

callus

Answer 10

exaggerated hyperkeratosis in a localized area, especially over pressure joints

Question 11

comedones

Answer 11

accumulation of keratin and dried sebum in a dilated pilosebaceous orifices

Question 12

crust

Answer 12

dried exudates on the skin surface, composed of secretion with or without bacterial or epithelial debris

Question 13

dysplasia

Answer 13

an abnormality in cell maturation process and morphology or the relationship between cells in epithelial structures; loss of normal stratification of the epidermis has the connotation of possible progression to neoplasia

Question 14

epidermal collarette

Answer 14

flat to minimally elevated ring of scale that enlarges peripherally

Question 15

epidermolysis

Answer 15

separation of the epidermis and dermis with the formation of subepidermal clefts and blisters

Question 16

eruption

Answer 16

a rapid development of primary lesions of the skin

Question 17

erythema

Answer 17

redness produced by capillary dilation and congestion

Question 18

excoriation

Answer 18

superficial linear erosion or ulcer caused by scratching and rubbing

Question 19

exocytosis

Answer 19

migration of inflammatory cells and/or erythrocytes through the intercellular spaces of epidermis

Question 20

exophytic

Answer 20

growing outward from the skin surface

Question 21

endophytic

Answer 21

growing inward from the skin surface

Question 22

fissure

Answer 22

deep linear defect from the epidermis to the dermis

Question 23

folliculitis

Answer 23

inflammation of the hair follicles

Question 24

furuncle

Answer 24

follicular abscesses, “boil”, ruptured folliculitis

Question 25

hyperkeratosis

Answer 25

thickening of the stratum corneum due to an increased number of keratinized cells

Question 26

orthokeratosis

Answer 26

a form of hyperkeratosis where the nuclei are lost

Question 27

hypertrichosis

Answer 27

presence of more than normal amount of hair

Question 28

hypotrichosis

Answer 28

presence of less than normal amount of hair

Question 29

licehnification

Answer 29

thickening of skin with exaggeration of normal markings; consists of acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and dermal fibrosis

Question 30

licehnoid

Answer 30

grossly refers to flat-topped papules; microscopically refers to a horizontal; dense band-like infiltrate of mononuclear cells in the papillary dermis obscuring the dermo-epidermal junction

Question 31

macule

Answer 31

a flat circumscribed, alteration in skin color or texture; may be pale, hyperpigmented or erythamatous

Question 32

nodule

Answer 32

a large papule over 1 cm; a circumscribed domed lesion raised above the level of the epidermis; often extends into the dermis

Question 33

papule

Answer 33

circrumscribed palpable elevation of skin less than 1 cm in diameter, usually due to cellular infiltration or proliferation, inflammatory or neoplastic

Question 34

parakeratosis

Answer 34

subset of hyperkeratosis with retention of nuclei in keratinized cells

Question 35

patch

Answer 35

macule greater than 2 cm in diameter

Question 36

plaque

Answer 36

flat-topped nodule

Question 37

pustule

Answer 37

small circumscribed epidermal or dermal accumulation of purulent exudate

Question 38

pyoderma

Answer 38

purulent dermatitis

Question 39

scab

Answer 39

common word for crust

Question 40

seborrhea

Answer 40

a functional disturbance of sebaceous glands or of lipid metabolism of the epidermis; accompanied by abnormal keratinization process

Question 41

spongiosis

Answer 41

widening of intercellular spaces due to intercellular epidermal edema

Question 42

tumor

Answer 42

usually, not always, neoplastic nodule

Question 43

vesicle

Answer 43

a small circumscribed elevation of epidermis caused by accumulation of clear fluid within or beneath the epidermis

Question 44

bulla

Answer 44

a large intraepidermal or subepidermal vesicle; over 5 mm in diameter

Question 45

wheal

Answer 45

sharply circumscribed skin elevation produced by edema of the superficial dermis