MBBS Dermatology Syllabus

Dermatology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Dermatology in MBBS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Dermatology

   2 topics

   • Anatomy and physiology of the skin
     • Layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue)
     • Appendages (hair, nails, sweat glands)
     • Functions of the skin (protection, thermoregulation, sensation)
   • Classification of skin lesions
     • Primary lesions (macule, papule, plaque, nodule, vesicle, bulla)
     • Secondary lesions (scale, crust, erosion, ulcer, atrophy)
2. 2

   Basic Dermatological Procedures

   3 topics

   • Skin Biopsy
     • Techniques (punch biopsy, shave biopsy, incisional biopsy)
     • Indications
     • Interpretation of histopathological findings
   • Patch Testing
     • Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis
     • Interpretation of patch test results
   • Dermoscopy
     • Use of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions
     • Use of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of non-melanocytic lesions
     • Use of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of inflammatory skin conditions
3. 3

   Inflammatory Skin Disorders

   3 topics

   • Psoriasis
     • Clinical features
     • Plaque psoriasis
     • Guttate psoriasis
     • Pustular psoriasis
     • Topical therapy
     • Phototherapy
     • Systemic therapy
   • Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
     • Clinical features
     • Acute eczema
     • Subacute eczema
     • Chronic eczema
     • Emollients
     • Topical corticosteroids
     • Calcineurin inhibitors
   • Acne Vulgaris
     • Pathogenesis
     • Comedones
     • Papules
     • Pustules
     • Nodules
     • Topical retinoids
     • Benzoyl peroxide
     • Oral antibiotics
4. 4

   Infectious Skin Disorders

   3 topics

   • Bacterial infections
     • Impetigo
     • Cellulitis
     • Erysipelas
     • Folliculitis
     • Furuncles
     • Carbuncles
   • Viral infections
     • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection
     • Herpes zoster (shingles)
     • Molluscum contagiosum
     • Common warts
     • Plantar warts
   • Fungal infections
     • Dermatophytosis
     • Candidiasis
     • Pityriasis versicolor
5. 5

   Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Disorders

   3 topics

   • Lupus erythematosus
     • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
     • Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
     • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)
   • Dermatomyositis
     • Clinical features
     • Skin manifestations (heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules)
     • Management
   • Scleroderma
     • Localized scleroderma (morphea)
     • Systemic sclerosis (limited cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous)
6. 6

   Pigmentary Disorders

   3 topics

   • Vitiligo
     • Pathogenesis
     • Clinical features
     • Depigmented macules
     • Patches
     • Topical corticosteroids
     • Phototherapy
   • Melasma
     • Clinical features
     • Topical depigmenting agents
     • Chemical peels
   • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
     • Causes
     • Clinical features
     • Management
7. 7

   Hair and Nail Disorders

   3 topics

   • Alopecia areata
     • Pathogenesis
     • Clinical features (well-defined patches of non-scarring alopecia)
     • Management (topical corticosteroids, intralesional corticosteroids)
   • Androgenetic alopecia
     • Clinical features
     • Pattern of hair loss (male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss)
     • Management (topical minoxidil, oral finasteride)
   • Onychomycosis
     • Fungal nail infection
     • Clinical features (thickened, discolored nails)
     • Management (oral antifungal therapy, topical therapy)
8. 8

   Genodermatoses

   2 topics

   • Epidermolysis bullosa
     • Clinical features
     • Epidermolysis bullosa simplex
     • Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
     • Wound care
     • Genetic counseling
   • Neurofibromatosis
     • Neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease)
     • Clinical features
     • Management
9. 9

   Skin Cancer

   3 topics

   • Basal cell carcinoma
     • Clinical features
     • Risk factors
     • Management
   • Squamous cell carcinoma
     • Clinical features
     • Risk factors
     • Management
   • Melanoma
     • Clinical features
     • Staging
     • Management
10. 10

    Cosmetic Dermatology

    3 topics

    • Botulinum toxin injections
      • Indications (dynamic wrinkles)
      • Technique
      • Complications
      • Contraindications
    • Fillers
      • Hyaluronic acid fillers
      • Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers
      • Poly-L-lactic acid fillers
      • Volume restoration
      • Wrinkle correction
    • Chemical peels
      • Superficial peels (alpha hydroxy acids)
      • Medium-depth peels (trichloroacetic acid)
      • Deep peels (phenol)
      • Skin rejuvenation

Dermatology flashcards for MBBS

24 of 50 cards from the Dermatology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three primary layers of the skin from superficial to deep?

   Epidermis (outermost, avascular, stratified squamous epithelium), dermis (connective tissue with vessels, nerves, adnexa), and subcutis/hypodermis (adipose tissue).

2. Name the five layers (strata) of the epidermis from deep to superficial.

   Stratum basale (germinativum), stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.

3. What is the approximate epidermal turnover time from basal layer to shedding in normal skin, and how does it change in psoriasis?

   Normal transit is roughly 28-30 days; in psoriasis it is dramatically accelerated to about 3-5 days due to keratinocyte hyperproliferation.

4. Which epidermal cell produces melanin, and which produces keratin?

   Melanocytes (in the stratum basale) produce melanin; keratinocytes produce keratin.

5. What are Langerhans cells and Merkel cells responsible for in the epidermis?

   Langerhans cells are antigen-presenting dendritic immune cells; Merkel cells are mechanoreceptors associated with touch sensation.

6. List the major functions of the skin.

   Barrier/protection, thermoregulation, sensation, immune surveillance, vitamin D synthesis, fluid/electrolyte homeostasis, and excretion.

7. Define the following primary skin lesions: macule, papule, plaque, nodule.

   Macule = flat circumscribed color change <1 cm; papule = raised lesion <1 cm; plaque = raised flat-topped lesion >1 cm; nodule = raised solid lesion >1 cm extending into dermis.

8. Differentiate a vesicle, bulla, and pustule.

   Vesicle = fluid-filled blister <1 cm; bulla = fluid-filled blister >1 cm; pustule = lesion filled with purulent material (pus).

9. Define wheal and how it differs from a typical papule.

   A wheal is a transient, edematous, raised lesion (e.g., in urticaria) that is evanescent (resolves within hours), unlike a persistent papule.

10. Distinguish secondary lesions: erosion vs. ulcer.

    An erosion is loss of epidermis only and heals without scarring; an ulcer is loss of epidermis plus part/all of dermis and heals with scarring.

11. What are the main types of skin biopsy and their typical indications?

    Shave biopsy (superficial/exophytic lesions), punch biopsy (full-thickness, inflammatory dermatoses), and excisional/incisional biopsy (deep lesions, suspected melanoma, panniculitis).

12. Why is excisional rather than shave biopsy preferred for suspected melanoma?

    Full-thickness excision allows accurate measurement of Breslow depth (tumor thickness), which is the key prognostic factor; shave biopsy may transect the lesion and understage it.

13. What is patch testing used to diagnose, and what hypersensitivity reaction does it detect?

    It diagnoses allergic contact dermatitis, detecting a Type IV (delayed, cell-mediated) hypersensitivity reaction.

14. In patch testing, when are readings typically taken?

    Patches are applied for 48 hours, then read at 48 hours (removal) and again at 72-96 hours (delayed reactions).

15. What is dermoscopy and what advantage does it provide?

    Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique using a handheld magnifier with polarized/immersion light to visualize subsurface skin structures, improving diagnostic accuracy for pigmented and other lesions.

16. What dermoscopic features raise concern for melanoma?

    Atypical pigment network, irregular streaks/pseudopods, blue-white veil, irregular dots/globules, and asymmetric color/structure distribution.

17. What is the characteristic pathophysiology of psoriasis?

    T-cell (Th1/Th17) mediated immune dysregulation causing keratinocyte hyperproliferation, accelerated epidermal turnover, parakeratosis, and dermal inflammation/angiogenesis.

18. Describe the classic clinical lesion of chronic plaque psoriasis and its typical distribution.

    Well-demarcated erythematous plaques with silvery-white scale, typically on extensor surfaces (elbows, knees), scalp, and sacrum.

19. What are the Auspitz sign and Koebner phenomenon in psoriasis?

    Auspitz sign = pinpoint bleeding when scale is removed; Koebner phenomenon = development of new lesions at sites of trauma.

20. Name the nail changes commonly seen in psoriasis.

    Pitting, onycholysis, oil-drop (salmon) spots, and subungual hyperkeratosis.

21. What is the pathophysiology and classic distribution of atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

    Filaggrin gene mutation with skin barrier dysfunction and Th2-driven inflammation; flexural distribution (antecubital/popliteal fossae) in children/adults, face and extensors in infants.

22. What is the atopic triad?

    Atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and asthma.

23. What are the four key pathogenic factors in acne vulgaris?

    Follicular hyperkeratinization, increased sebum production (androgen-driven), Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes proliferation, and inflammation.

24. Differentiate the non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions of acne.

    Non-inflammatory: open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads). Inflammatory: papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

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