Separation of individual epidermal keratinocytes from their neighbor, as in conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris and Darier disease. [acantho- + G. lysis, loosening]
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ac·an·thol·y·sis .ak-.an-'thäl-ə-səs, .ā-.kan-, .ak-ən- n, pl -y·ses -ə-.sēz atrophy of the stratum spinosum of the epidermis
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acan·thol·y·sis (ak″an-tholґĭ-sis) [acantho- + -lysis] disruption of the intercellular connections between keratinocytes of the epidermis. A primary type is caused by lysis of intercellular cement substance, and secondary types occur with conditions such as types of pemphigus or dyskeratosis. There is often secondary disruption of desmosomes, as well as a defined sequence of cellular degenerative events. acantholytic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.