Acantholysis
Pronunciation: ak-an-THOL-i-sis
The loss of intercellular connections between keratinocytes, resulting in the separation of epidermal cells from one another.
Full Definition
Acantholysis describes the breakdown of desmosomal attachments between keratinocytes in the epidermis, leading to intraepidermal blister or cleft formation. It is a key histological hallmark of conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris and Darier disease. In editorial contexts, the term most frequently appears in dermatopathology reports and peer-reviewed dermatology articles. Editors should note that acantholysis describes a process (cell separation), whereas acanthosis describes cell layer thickening — the two are frequently confused. The term is never abbreviated in formal clinical documents.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish carefully from 'acanthosis' (epidermal thickening) and 'spongiosis' (intercellular oedema). All three may co-occur in the same biopsy report.
In Context
- "Suprabasal acantholysis with tombstone-row basal cells on histology is pathognomonic for pemphigus vulgaris." — Dermatopathology peer-reviewed article
- "The presence of acantholysis in the upper epidermis directed the clinician toward a diagnosis of Darier disease." — Clinical case report