acantholysis

noun

ac·​an·​thol·​y·​sis ˌak-ˌan-ˈthäl-ə-səs How to pronounce acantholysis (audio) ˌā-ˌkan- How to pronounce acantholysis (audio)
ˌak-ən-
plural acantholyses -ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce acantholysis (audio)
: loss of coherence between keratinocytes of the epidermis that is due to breakdown of desmosomal intercellular attachments and is characteristic of various conditions (as pemphigus and herpesvirus infection) marked by vesicular eruption
acantholytic adjective
acantholytic cells
acantholytic blistering

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Cite this Entry

“Acantholysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/acantholysis. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

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