A localized shedding of epithelium is called which term?

• A. Erosion
• B. Ulcer
• C. Crater
• D. Eruption

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is distinguishing superficial epithelial loss from deeper tissue damage. Erosion refers to a shallow, limited loss of the surface epithelium while the underlying basement membrane and tissues beneath remain intact. It often heals without scarring. Ulcer, on the other hand, involves a deeper defect that extends through the epithelium into the underlying connective tissue, often with inflammation or necrosis and typically healing with scarring. The other terms describe different kinds of lesions: a crater is a hollowed-out pit, and an eruption is more about the outward eruption of tissue or lesions. Localized shedding of epithelium is best described as erosion.