xeroderma

[ zeer-uh-dur-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disease in which the skin becomes dry, hard, and scaly.

xeroderma

/ ˌzɪərəʊˈdɜːmə; ˌzɪərəʊdəˈmætɪk; ˌzɪərəʊˈdɜːmɪə /

noun

1. any abnormal dryness of the skin as the result of diminished secretions from the sweat or sebaceous glands
2. another name for ichthyosis

Derived Forms

• xerodermatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of xeroderma¹

First recorded in 1840–50; xero- + -derma

Example Sentences

"The fact that CS proteins have additional functions is noteworthy. This discovery could help to explain the pathological differences between xeroderma pigmentosum and Cockayne syndrome," says Stingele.

From Science Daily

Figure 1 | Evidence of defective DNA repair in cells from people with xeroderma pigmentosum.

From Nature

For instance, some people are born with xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare, incurable genetic disorder in which the skin cannot repair the damage caused by ultraviolet light, leaving them vulnerable to cancer when they are children.

From The New Yorker

The couple, who are Navajo, had two children with a severe form of xeroderma pigmentosum, or X.P., a genetic disorder, and then met other Navajo parents whose children had it as well.

From New York Times

People with a rare inherited disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum have extreme sensitivity to the sun and must avoid exposure at all times.

From New York Times