label: Spongiosis
label_lc: spongiosis
description: Spongiosis refers to the increased intercellular edema in the epidermis resulting in the pulling away of the keratinocytes from their surrounding desmosomes. Histologically, the spongiotic tissue reaction pattern involves the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces of the epidermis, making the desmosomes junctions more easy to appreciate. Parakeratosis forms above the areas of spongiosis. The foci of spongiosis can be microscopic to grossly identifiable clinically with vesicles or bullae.