NEET PG 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 NEET PG, 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 NEET PG

24 of 51 cards from the Dermatology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Name the three main layers of the skin from superficial to deep.

   Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis).

2. List the five layers of the epidermis from deep to superficial.

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

3. Which epidermal cell produces melanin, and where do these cells reside?

   Melanocytes, located in the stratum basale; they transfer melanin to keratinocytes via melanosomes.

4. Name the antigen-presenting dendritic cell of the epidermis and its characteristic organelle.

   Langerhans cell; its characteristic organelle is the Birbeck granule (tennis-racket shaped).

5. Differentiate a macule from a papule.

   A macule is a flat, circumscribed change in skin color <1 cm (no elevation); a papule is a solid, elevated lesion <1 cm.

6. Define a vesicle versus a bulla.

   A vesicle is a fluid-filled blister <1 cm; a bulla is a fluid-filled blister >1 cm.

7. What is the difference between a patch and a plaque?

   A patch is a flat lesion >1 cm (large macule); a plaque is an elevated, palpable lesion >1 cm (often a confluence of papules).

8. What is the difference between a wheal and a nodule?

   A wheal is a transient, edematous, raised lesion (urticaria); a nodule is a solid, palpable lesion >1 cm extending into the dermis or subcutis.

9. Which type of skin biopsy is best for evaluating panniculitis or deep dermal/subcutaneous disease?

   An incisional (or excisional) biopsy down to subcutaneous fat; a punch biopsy of adequate depth (4-6 mm) can also reach subcutis.

10. What is the purpose of a shave biopsy and when is it inappropriate?

    Shave biopsy samples superficial lesions (e.g., BCC, seborrheic keratosis); it is inappropriate for suspected melanoma because it may not capture full Breslow depth.

11. What is patch testing used to diagnose, and when are readings taken?

    It diagnoses allergic contact dermatitis (type IV delayed hypersensitivity); readings are taken at 48 hours (after removal) and again at 72-96 hours.

12. Differentiate the mechanism behind patch testing from a prick test.

    Patch testing detects type IV (delayed, cell-mediated) hypersensitivity; prick testing detects type I (immediate, IgE-mediated) hypersensitivity.

13. What is dermoscopy and what key advantage does it provide?

    A non-invasive in-vivo technique using a handheld magnifier with light to visualize subsurface skin structures; it improves diagnostic accuracy for pigmented lesions and melanoma.

14. What dermoscopic features suggest melanoma?

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

15. What is the characteristic histopathology of psoriasis?

    Parakeratosis, Munro microabscesses (neutrophils in stratum corneum), regular elongation of rete ridges, thinned suprapapillary plates, and dilated dermal capillaries.

16. Name the two classic clinical signs of psoriasis and what they represent.

    Auspitz sign (pinpoint bleeding on scale removal due to dilated papillary capillaries) and Koebner phenomenon (lesions at sites of trauma).

17. What is the first-line systemic agent for severe plaque psoriasis, and a key biologic target class?

    Methotrexate is a first-line systemic agent; biologics target TNF-alpha (e.g., adalimumab), IL-17 (secukinumab), and IL-23 (guselkumab).

18. What is the underlying barrier defect and key gene in atopic dermatitis?

    Impaired epidermal barrier from filaggrin (FLG) gene loss-of-function mutations, leading to transepidermal water loss and allergen entry.

19. Describe the typical distribution of atopic dermatitis in infants versus older children/adults.

    Infants: face, scalp, and extensor surfaces; older children and adults: flexural areas (antecubital and popliteal fossae).

20. What is the 'atopic triad'?

    Atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

21. Name the four pathogenic factors in acne vulgaris.

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

22. What is the most effective treatment for severe nodulocystic acne, and a major adverse effect to monitor?

    Oral isotretinoin; it is teratogenic (requires pregnancy prevention) and can cause hypertriglyceridemia and elevated transaminases.

23. What organism causes impetigo and what is the classic finding of bullous impetigo?

    Staphylococcus aureus (and Streptococcus pyogenes for non-bullous); bullous impetigo is caused by S. aureus exfoliative toxin producing flaccid bullae and honey-colored crust.

24. Differentiate erysipelas from cellulitis.

    Erysipelas involves the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics with sharply demarcated raised borders (usually Strep pyogenes); cellulitis involves deeper dermis/subcutis with ill-defined borders.

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