cysts (skin)
Last reviewed 09/2021
A cystic lesion in the skin is an epithelial-lined cavity that contains viscous or semi-solid epithelial degradation products.
Cystic lesions in the skin may be the result of various pathologies:
- most arise from elements of hair follicles e.g. epidermal cysts, pilar cysts
- from developmental epithelial remnants e.g. inclusion dermoid cysts
- from traumatic implantation of epithelial fragments i.e. implantation dermoid cysts
- ganglions are derived from the synovium of a joint or tendon sheath