Carbuncle refers to inflammation of tissue beneath the skin.

• A. Inflammation of surface epidermis
• B. Infection of hair follicle
• C. Allergic reaction
• D. Carbuncle: inflammation of tissue beneath the skin

Answer: (D)

Carbuncles are deep skin infections that extend into the subcutaneous tissue, often involving several hair follicles and creating a cluster of inflamed areas that may drain from multiple spots. The phrase “inflammation of tissue beneath the skin” matches this deeper, more extensive infection, distinguishing it from more superficial or single-tract conditions.

Inflammation of the surface epidermis describes a shallow skin involvement, not a carbuncle. An infection of a hair follicle refers to a furuncle (boil), typically a single lesion, whereas a carbuncle is a network of tract infections under the skin. An allergic reaction isn’t an infection at all, so it doesn’t fit.