Clinical Diagnosis · Integumentary System · Hard

Ichthyosis

Meaning: A group of skin conditions causing persistently dry, thickened skin with fish-like scales.

In practice: The child had dry, scaly skin on his shins due to inherited ichthyosis.

Word parts

  • -osis means an abnormal condition or process

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Quick check

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: Acquired loss of skin pigment producing sharply defined pale white patches.

Which word means: A severe lack of motivation to start or sustain purposeful activities, a negative symptom of schizophrenia.

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