Definition

Noun: 1. A specific type of skin condition: A xanthelasma is a sharply demarcated, yellowish, slightly raised deposit of cholesterol (a type of xanthoma) that appears on or near the eyelids. 2. A medical sign: It is a benign skin lesion that primarily occurs in the elderly and can sometimes be associated with high blood cholesterol levels, though not always.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The dermatologist diagnosed the yellow patches on her eyelids as xanthelasma.
  • Although xanthelasma is harmless, many patients seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.
  • The presence of xanthelasma prompted the doctor to order a lipid profile test.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: In clinical settings, the plural form "xanthelasmata" is sometimes used, though "xanthelasmas" is more common.
  • The study focused on the correlation between xanthelasmata and coronary artery disease.

Variants and Related Words

• Xanthoma (n): A broader term for any yellow tumor or nodule on the skin containing cholesterol deposits, of which xanthelasma is a specific type.
  • Tendon xanthomas are different from the palpebral xanthelasma.
• Xanthelasma palpebrarum (n): The full medical term for this condition.

Synonyms

• Cholesterol deposit (on the eyelid): A descriptive synonym.
• Eyelid xanthoma: A more general medical term.

Notes on Meaning

While a xanthelasma is a type of xanthoma, the key distinction is its specific location on or around the eyelids. The word is almost exclusively used in a medical or dermatological context.

Noun

1. xanthoma of the eyelids; occurs chiefly in the elderly