DERMATOLOGY FOR THE USMLE BASICS OF DERMATOLOGY (7) COMMON TERM IN DERMAPATHOLOGY

DERMATOLOGY FOR THE USMLE

BASICS OF DERMATOLOGY (7)

COMMON TERM IN DERMAPATHOLOGY

9. COMMON TERMS IN DERMATOPATHOLOGY

Histopathological study of skin disorders is often necessary when a diagnosis is uncertain or to support a clinical diagnosis. The microscopic view of skin lesions may also correlate with clinical findings.

»	hyperplasia: Increase in the total number of keratinocytes within the epidermis (eg, squamous cell carcinoma).
»	hyperkeratosis: Thickening of the stratum corneum without retention of keratinocytes nuclei. Clinically, the skin may show scaling (eg, ichthyosis vulgaris).
»	Parakeratosis: Thickening of the stratum corneum with retention of keratinocytes nuclei. Clinically, the skin may show scaling (eg, psoriasis).
»	Acanthosis: Increase in thickness of the epidermis. Clinically, the skin may be thickened (eg, seborrheic keratosis).
»	Epidermal atrophy: Decreased thickness of the epidermal layer. Clinically, the skin may be thinned, fragile and dyspigmented (eg, lichen sclerosus).
»	Papillomatosis: Finger-like projection of dermal papillae above the surrounding epidermal surface. Clinically, the skin may be elevated and verrucous (eg, warts).
»	Spongiosis: Edema between keratinocytes. The epidermis has a “netlike” appearance, often accompanied by dilation of dermal vessels and lymphatics. Clinically, the skin may be edematous and elevated, often with vesicles (eg, eczema).
»	Acantholysis: Separation of keratinocytes due to loss of intercellular attachments (desmosomes). Clinically, the skin may be fragile and detaching (eg, pemphigus vulgaris).
»	Palisading: Organization of cells in a linear or picket fence-like pattern at the periphery of a lesion (eg, basal cell carcinoma).