ABSTRACT
Spongiosis is a process in which intercellular edema between the squamous cells of the epidermis causes an increase in the widths of the spaces between the cells. There is also intracellular edema manifested by intracvtoplasmic vacuoles. When the intracellular edema is very prominent, reticular degeneration, characterized by bursting of cell walls with formation of vesicles, ensues. Exocytosis (i.e., migration to the epidermis) of lymphocytes is frequently seen in spongiosis (see section 8). Spongiotic dermatitis is characteristic of eczema and other inflammatory condi tions of the skin.
