Micrograph of perinuclear vacuolization, annotated

Vacuolization is the formation of

vacuoles A vacuole () is a membrane-bound organelle which is present in plant and fungal cells and some protist, animal, and bacterial cells. Vacuoles are essentially enclosed compartments which are filled with water containing inorganic and organic mo ...

or vacuole-like structures, within or adjacent to cells. Perinuclear vacuolization of epidermal

keratinocytes Keratinocytes are the primary type of cell found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. In humans, they constitute 90% of epidermal skin cells. Basal cells in the basal layer (''stratum basale'') of the skin are sometimes referre ...

is most likely inconsequential when not observed in combination with other pathologic findings. In dermatopathology "vacuolization" often refers specifically to vacuoles in the basal cell-basement membrane zone area, where it is an unspecific sign of disease.Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelso; Abbas, Abul (2004) ''Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease'' (7th ed.). Saunders. Page 1230. . It may be a sign of for example

vacuolar interface dermatitis Vacuolar interface dermatitis (VAC, also known as liquefaction degeneration, vacuolar alteration or hydropic degeneration) is a dermatitis with vacuolization at the dermoepidermal junction, with lymphocytic inflammation at the epidermis and dermi ...

, which in turn has many causes. It is one of the components of koilocytosis, which may be present in potentially pre- cancerous cervical,

oral The word oral may refer to: Relating to the mouth * Relating to the mouth, the first portion of the alimentary canal that primarily receives food and liquid ** Oral administration of medicines ** Oral examination (also known as an oral exam or or ...

and anal lesions.

References

Dermatologic terminology {{Dermatology-stub

See also

References