Acanthosis
Pronunciation: ak-an-THOH-sis
Diffuse epidermal hyperplasia characterised by thickening of the stratum spinosum (prickle-cell layer) of the skin.
Full Definition
Acanthosis refers to the pathological thickening of the stratum spinosum, the middle layer of the epidermis composed of keratinocytes. It is a histological finding commonly described in dermatopathology reports and is associated with conditions such as psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, and chronic eczema. Editors must distinguish the standalone term 'acanthosis' from the named condition 'acanthosis nigricans,' which carries a distinct clinical profile. In dermatology manuscripts, the term appears most frequently in biopsy result sections and histopathological discussion paragraphs. Correct usage requires lower case unless at the start of a sentence or part of a named condition.
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with 'acantholysis,' which describes loss of intercellular connections, not thickening. 'Acanthosis nigricans' is a specific, capitalised named condition.
In Context
- "The biopsy specimen demonstrated marked acanthosis with elongation of the rete ridges, consistent with a diagnosis of psoriasis." — Dermatopathology report
- "Acanthosis is a hallmark histological feature that editors should verify is not confused with acantholysis in peer-reviewed submissions." — Editorial style guide