glossary Flashcards

(40 cards)

1
Q

Acantholysis

A

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).

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2
Q

Acanthosis

A

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

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3
Q

Adventitial dermis

A

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.

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4
Q

Apoptosis

A

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).

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5
Q

Annular

A

grouped (clustered) as round rings

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6
Q

Arciform

A

grouped (clustered) as incomplete rings, arcs

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7
Q

Ballooning Degeneration

A

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

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8
Q

Bulle (pl. bullae)

A

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

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9
Q

Crust

A

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

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10
Q

Dermis

A

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

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11
Q

Dyskeratosis

A

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

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12
Q

Erosion

A

A moist, circumscribed, usually depressed lesion that results from loss of all or a portion of the viable epidermis; may heal without scarring.

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13
Q

Excoriation

A

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

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14
Q

Herpetiform

A

grouped as clusters of vesicles

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15
Q

Hypergranulosis

A

increase in thickness of the granular layer

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16
Q

Hyperkeratosis

A

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

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17
Q

Hypogranulosis

A

decrease in thickness of the granular layer

18
Q

Lichenification

A

thickened skin, with accentuated skin markings

19
Q

Linear

A

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.

20
Q

Macule

A

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

21
Q

Melanophage

A

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

22
Q

Nodule

A

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.

23
Q

Orthokeratosis

A

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

24
Q

Papillary dermis

A

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.

25
Papillomatosis
increase in keratinocytes with formation of projections from the surface of the skin, i.e. papillae; typical example is a wart.
26
Papule
a small, solid, elevated lesion, less than 1 cm. in diameter, usually superficial and mostly projecting from the surface.
27
"Patch"
a large macule or large thin plaque
28
Plaque
a mesa-like elevation that occupies a relatively large surface area (more than 1 cm.). These may be formed by the coalescence of papules.
29
Poikiloderma
usually a plaque (less often a macule) that has the combination of atrophy, telangiectasia, and pigmentary alteration (hyperpigmentation and/or Hypopigmentation ).
30
Polycyclic
grouped (clustered) as irregular rings
31
Psoriasiform Epidermal Hyperplasia
increase in keratinocytes with elongation of rete ridges and elongation of dermal papillae; typical example is psoriasis.
32
Pustule
a circumscribed, raised lesion containing pus.
33
Random
random distribution of lesions on the skin
34
Reticular dermis
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.
35
Scale
dry, horny, platelike excrescence, usually composed of abnormally shed or accumulated stratum corneum.
36
Spongiosis
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).
37
Ulcer
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.
38
Vacuolar Change (vacuolization)
the formation of vacuoles within cells. This term is used often in reference to changes in the basal keratinocytes (ex. Lupus, erythema multiforme).
39
Vesicle
a circumscribed lesion, 5 mm. in diameter or less, that is elevated and contains fluid. Also called "blister".
40
Wheal
a rounded or flat-topped elevated lesion that characteristically is evanescent, disappearing within hours; also called an urticarial lesion or "hive".