Skin Glossary - Pathology
- Acantholysis - loss of cohesion between cells of living epidermis, especially stratum spinosum
- Acanthosis - hyperplasia of stratum spinosum
- Adnexa - cutaneous appendages - hair, claws, glands
- Alopecia - abscence of hair in an area where it is normally present
- Anagen - growth phase of hair cycle
- Comedo - plugged and dilated hair follicle
- Crust - accumulation of solid exudate on skin surface, serocellular or haemorrhagic
- Epidermal collarettes - peeling edge of epithelium surrounding an ulcer or erosion
- Erosion - superficial ulcer involvng only epidermis, heals without scarring
- Erythema - reddening of skin caused by congestion of capillaries
- Excoriation - erosions and ulcers caused by self-trauma
- Furunculosis - rupture of hair follicles with severe inflammation
- Hyperkeratosis - increased thickness of stratum corneum
- Lichenification - thickeningof skin superficial layers with exaggerated crevices
- Macule - circumscribed change in skin colour < 1cm in diameter
- Nodule - solid elevation of skin, >1cm in diameter
- Papule - solid elevation of skin, <1cm in diameter
- Parakeratosis - abnormal cornification, keratinocytes retain their nuclei
- Paronychia - inflammation of tissue fold around nail bed
- Patch - macule > 1cm in diameter
- Plaque - flet topped swelling > 1cm in diameter
- Pustule - small circumscribed elevation containing pus
- Scale - fragments of stratum corneum
- Scar - fibrous tissue area that replaced damaged dermis or subcutaneous tissue
- Seborhea- scaling, crusting and greasiness
- Telogen - resting phase of hair cycle
- Ulcer - break in epidermis with exposed underlying dermis
- Urticaria - vascular reaction in dermis, consists of transient wheals
- Vesicle - blister <1cm in diameter
- Vitiligo - Depigmentation in focal areas where melanocytes are absent