Dermatopathology
Skin reacts at microscopic level to disease:
Acantholysis:
The loss of the ability to two epithelial cells to stick together, especially in stratum spinous
Acanthosis:
Thickening of skin through an increase in the number of cells in the stratum spinosum (prickle cells). Due to 2 mechanisms:
1) Increased proliferative activity of the stratum germinativum (eg psoriasis)
2) Decreased exfoliation of stratum corneum (eg ichthyosis)
Apoptosis:
A type of cell death
Atrophy:
Due to a decrease in the number and vertical diametre of cells. Rete pegs are also shorter or absence. Due to a wide variety of causes.
Ectasia:
Dilation of vessels
Hyperkeratosis:
Increase in thickness of the stratum corneum layer. Eg – psoriasis, dermatitis, warts, mechanical hyperkeratosis.
Spongiosis:
Microscopic presence of serum within the epidermis in the extracellular space – comes from underlying dermis, usually following an inflammatory process.
Exocytosis:
Inflammatory cells in the intercellular space in the epidermis – usually accompanies spongiosis. Indicates immunological response to antigen.
Dysplasia:
Term used to describe aberrant growth and differentiation. Considered to lie on the continuum between benign and fully malignant.
Erosion:
Incomplete loss of epidermis (ulceration is a complete loss).
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