Epidermotropism is a term pathologists use to describe cells that are moving toward or located within the epidermis, which is the thin outer layer of the skin. In a pathology report, epidermotropism usually refers to abnormal cells—such as cancer cells or immune cells—that are found in the epidermis when they are not normally present there. …
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Vacuolar degeneration is a term pathologists use to describe a change in cells where small, clear, bubble-like spaces—called vacuoles—develop inside the cell’s cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is the fluid-filled area of a cell that surrounds the nucleus and contains structures that help the cell function. These vacuoles appear empty under the microscope because they do not …
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Pemphigoid is the most common autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. In this condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack healthy tissue. These antibodies target specific proteins that normally help anchor the top layer of skin (the epidermis) to the deeper layer (the dermis). When these proteins are damaged, …
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Interface dermatitis is a term pathologists use to describe a pattern of skin injury seen under the microscope. It refers to inflammation and damage that occurs at the junction where the outer layer of the skin (called the epidermis) meets the layer underneath (called the dermis). This area is known as the dermoepidermal junction. In …
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Spongiotic dermatitis is a term pathologists use to describe a pattern of injury in the skin caused by inflammation. It is called a “pattern of injury” because the changes seen are not specific to a single medical condition. The spongiotic dermatitis pattern of injury is most commonly seen in eczema. Types of eczema Doctors often …
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