leukoderma
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A congenital skin condition characterized by spots or bands of unpigmented skin: Leukoderma is a medical term for a disorder where patches of skin lose their pigment (melanin), resulting in white spots or bands. It is present from birth.
Usage
Leukoderma is a formal, medical term used primarily in dermatology and healthcare contexts to describe a specific congenital hypopigmentation condition. It refers to the physical state of the skin itself.
Examples
- Noun:
- The dermatologist diagnosed the infant with leukoderma after observing the distinctive white bands on the torso.
- Leukoderma is often confused with vitiligo, but the former is congenital while the latter is usually acquired later in life.
- The study focused on the genetic factors associated with various forms of leukoderma.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in differential diagnosis to distinguish congenital conditions from acquired depigmentation disorders like vitiligo.
- It can be modified by adjectives to specify types, e.g., .
Variants and Related Words
- Leukodermic (adj): Pertaining to or affected by leukoderma.
- The leukodermic patches were carefully mapped.
- Hypopigmentation (n): The broader medical category for reduced skin pigment, which includes leukoderma.
- Depigmentation (n): The complete loss of skin pigment.
Synonyms
- Hypopigmentation (congenital): A more general term for reduced skin color present from birth.
- Achromia: An older or less specific term for lack of skin pigmentation.
Antonyms
- Hyperpigmentation: The darkening of an area of skin.
- Melanism: Unusual dark pigmentation of the skin.
Notes on Meaning
Leukoderma specifically denotes a congenital (present at birth) condition. This is its key distinguishing feature from similar-looking conditions like vitiligo, which is an acquired autoimmune disorder. The unpigmented areas are typically stable from birth.
Noun
- a congenital skin condition characterized by spots or bands of unpigmented skin