Localized, encapsulated inflammation in the epidermis, hair follicles, in eccrine or apocrine sweat glands, in the dermis and/or subcutis, caused by pus-inducing substances or pathogens (bacteria or fungi), accompanied by tissue melting, and melting centrally after 4-5 days.
Pus is the constellation of neutrophilic granulocytes, cellular debridement, and liquefied tissue. Abscess is the name given to the purulent, fluctuant, cutaneous or subcutaneous formation of a cavity. Epidermal or infundibular accumulations of pus are called pustules or, in the minus variant, microabscesses (e.g. Munro microabscess in psoriasis vulgaris).
Notice. The microabscess named after Pautrier, which consists of lymphocytes and not neutrophilic granulocytes, is to be understood as a misnomer.