scleroderma

[ skleer-uh-dur-muh, skler- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disease in which connective tissue anywhere in the body becomes hardened and rigid.

scleroderma

/ ˌsklɪərəʊˈdɜːmə; sklɪˈraɪəsɪs; ˌsklɪərəʊˈdɜːmɪə /

noun

1. a chronic progressive disease most common among women, characterized by a local or diffuse thickening and hardening of the skin

scleroderma

/ sklîr′ə-dûr′mə /

1. A connective tissue disease characterized by the deposition of fibrous tissue into the skin and often other organs, causing tissue hardening and thickening.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scleroderma¹

First recorded in 1865–70; sclero- + -derma

Word History and Origins

Origin of scleroderma¹

C19: from New Latin sclerōdermus, from Greek, from sklēros hard + derma skin

Example Sentences

Autoimmune diseases, which range from rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease to scleroderma and numerous thyroid conditions, stem from attacks by the immune system on the body's own cells that destroy normal, healthy tissue.

From Science Daily

The researchers observed similar effects in experiments with fibroblasts from patients with scleroderma, a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs.

From Science Daily

Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and scleroderma are examples of autoimmune disorders marked by lopsided female-to-male ratios.

From Science Daily

She had scleroderma, a cruel autoimmune disease that hardens the skin and internal organs.

From Los Angeles Times

Others lost theirs to medical conditions such as sepsis or scleroderma.

From BBC