pemphigus

/'pemfigəs/

Thân thiện

A doctor examines a patient's pemphigus on their forearm.

Definition

Noun: A rare, serious group of autoimmune skin disorders characterized by the formation of large, fragile blisters (bullae) on the skin and mucous membranes. These blisters are filled with fluid and break open easily, often leaving painful sores.

Usage

Pemphigus is a medical term used specifically to describe this group of diseases. It is typically used in a clinical or scientific context. - The diagnosis was confirmed as pemphigus vulgaris. - Pemphigus often requires long-term immunosuppressive therapy. - Researchers are studying the antibodies involved in pemphigus.

Examples

• The patient presented with widespread blistering consistent with pemphigus.
• Treatment for pemphigus aims to control blister formation and prevent infection.
• Pemphigus can affect the mouth, making eating painful.

Advanced Usage

• Pemphigus foliaceus: A specific type of pemphigus where blisters form superficially, often appearing as crusty sores, primarily on the face and scalp.
• Paraneoplastic pemphigus: A severe form associated with an underlying tumor or cancer.

Variants and Related Words

• Pemphigoid (noun): A related but distinct group of blistering autoimmune diseases where the blisters are typically tougher and do not rupture as easily as in pemphigus.

Synonyms

• Autoimmune blistering disease (This is a descriptive synonym, not a single-word replacement).

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of pemphigus is always related to this specific medical condition. It does not have non-medical meanings or uses. The term is highly specialized.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a skin disease characterized by large thin-walled blisters (bullae) arising from normal skin or mucous membrane