Sebaceous glands are small glands found in the skin that produce sebum, an oily substance that helps keep the skin and hair soft, flexible, and protected. These glands are distributed throughout the body but are most numerous on the face, scalp, upper chest, and back. Sebaceous glands are connected to hair follicles, and the sebum …
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Squamous cell carcinoma in situ, also known as Bowen’s disease, is an early stage of skin cancer. It begins with squamous cells, which are the flat cells that comprise the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. In this stage, the abnormal cancer cells are confined to the epidermis and have not spread deeper …
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Parakeratosis is a word pathologists use to describe a change in the surface layer of squamous epithelium, which is the tissue that lines many parts of the body including the skin, mouth, throat, esophagus, cervix, and anal canal. In healthy tissue, the squamous cells at the surface mature and lose their nuclei (the part of …
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An epidermoid cyst is a non-cancerous growth that develops below the skin’s surface. It is a round, hollow structure lined by the same squamous cells found in a layer of the skin called the epidermis. Epidermoid cysts are sometimes referred to as ‘epidermal cysts’, ‘infundibular cysts’, or ‘epidermal inclusion cysts.’ Where are epidermoid cysts …
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A keloid scar is an overgrowth of scar tissue that develops after a skin injury, such as a cut, burn, surgical incision, or even a piercing or acne. Unlike normal scars, keloids grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound and may continue to enlarge over time. This happens because the body produces excess collagen, …
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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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A junctional nevus is a non-cancerous skin tumour made up of specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. The term “junctional” is used because the melanocytes in a junctional nevus are located at the junction between the epidermis and the dermis. This type of growth is commonly called …
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A dysplastic nevus, also called an atypical mole, is a noncancerous type of skin growth made up of melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment and give skin its color. Dysplastic nevi look different from common moles because they have unusual shapes, sizes, or colors. While they are benign (noncancerous) and do not pose an immediate …
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Hypergranulosis is a term pathologists use to describe an increased number of cells in the granular layer of the skin. The granular layer is normally a thin layer found close to the skin’s surface, within a part of the skin called the epidermis. Hypergranulosis is a benign (non-cancerous) descriptive finding rather than a diagnosis on …
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Acanthosis is a word pathologists use to describe tissue that has become thicker than normal because of an increased number of squamous cells. Squamous cells are flat, protective cells that form the surface lining of many parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, throat, esophagus, large airways, anal canal, and cervix. When these cells …
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