Dermatology and Breast Pathology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for dermatology and breast pathology exam review.

Epidermis

The surface layer of the skin, a self-regenerating stratified squamous epithelium.

Dermis

A tough layer of horizontally arranged collagen and elastic fibers beneath the epidermis.

Subcutis

A layer of adipose tissue beneath the dermis that acts as a shock absorber and thermal insulator.

Rete Ridges

Epidermal downgrowths that penetrate the upper dermis to provide stronger tethering and resistance to frictional shearing force. (Velcro effect)

Melanocytes

Cells that synthesize/secrete melanin pigment to absorb ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.

Merkel Cells

Specialized keratinocytes with nerve complexes that provide low-threshold mechanoreceptors for the sensation of touch.

Langerhans Cells

Antigen-presenting cells derived from monocytes, found in the stratum spinosum.

Acanthosis

Hyperplasia of the stratum spinosum.

Acantholysis

Separation of cells in the stratum spinosum.

Bulla

Large fluid-filled blister.

Macule

Flat, colored lesion.

Parakeratosis

Retained nuclei within the stratum corneum.

Spongiosis

Edema within the epidermis (extracellular).

Urticaria

Edema within the dermis (extracellular).

Vesicle

Small fluid-filled blister.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Excessive epidermal cornification, often due to decreased or absent synthesis of profilaggrin.

Ducts

The ducts which bridge the lobule and the nipple

Acute Mastitis

Localized acute inflammation and abscesses, often seen in the first month of breastfeeding.

Periductal Mastitis

Inflammation of ducts, often associated with smoking and inverted nipples.

Fat Necrosis

Benign condition due to trauma in the breast and/or lipase.

Granulomatous Mastitis

Benign condition with a granulomatous inflammation in and around breast lobules. Often caused by Wegener granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, mycobacteria or fungi, and foreign body objects.

Galactocele

Accumulation of milk in the lobule, forming a lump in lactating women after cessation of lactation and ductal obstruction

Fibroadenoma

Benign tumor with proliferation of intralobular stroma pushing/distorting epithelium;sharply delineated.

Phyllodes Tumor

Tumor with intralobular "leaf-like" processes covered by ductal epithelium.

Fibrocystic Changes

Nonproliferative changes in the breast, often due to excess estrogen.

Adenosis

Proliferation of acinar with epithelial and myoepithelial layers, surrounded by basement membrane, without distortion of lobular architecture

Fibrosis

Fibrous stromal proliferation with obliteration of ducts and acini

Hyperplasia

Proliferation of two-cell layers that fills duct and/or lobule lumens with fenestrations.

Atypical Hyperplasia

Proliferation with resemblances to CIS, but not enough features for carcinoma diagnosis. It can involve the ductules (ADH) or the acini (ALH).

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Malignant clonal cells in ducts and lobules limited by basement membrane with preserved myoepithelial cells.

Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma

Rare, very aggressive form of breast cancer with skin redness, swelling, warmth, and peau d’orange.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Small, uniform cells growing in a single file (Indian file) in fibrous matrix and targeting around vessels in the breast

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Tests performed to predict the effects of ER and the chances of Tamoxifen working

Triple Negative Breast Carcinomas

10-17% of breast cancers that do not express ER, PR, or HER2.

Microarray

Measures the expression levels of large numbers of genes at once

Axillary Dissection

A surgery where the surgeon takes out axillary lymph nodes that are taking up a dye that was injected before surgery

Gynecomastia

Breast enlargement in men. Can result from medications like spironolactone, neoplasia, or hormone imbalance.