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Glite Dictionary
acanthosis nigricans

acanthosis nigricans

1 9.6
Dark, thick, velvety patches on the skin that appear in body folds like the neck or armpits
  • noun
  • /ˌækənˈθoʊsɪs ˌnaɪɡrɪˈkænz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acantosis nigricans
  • The doctor diagnosed her with acanthosis nigricans.
  • condition called acanthosis nigricans

Examples

  • Have you ever heard of acanthosis nigricans?

  • The dermatologist diagnosed her with acanthosis nigricans, noting the dark, thickened areas in her groin.

  • Acanthosis nigricans can be a sign of insulin resistance in some patients.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with acanthosis nigricans after noticing dark, velvety patches on her neck.

  • Treatment of the underlying cause often improves the appearance of acanthosis nigricans.

  • Acanthosis nigricans causes velvety patches on the skin, often in the folds of the neck and armpits.

  • If you notice acanthosis nigricans, you should consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

Surface Forms

acanthosis nigricans singular
acanthosis nigricans plural

Morphology

acanthosis + nigricans

The compound combines 'acanthosis' (skin thickening) with Latin 'nigricans' (becoming black), so a learner who knows both constituents could infer a condition of darkened, thickened skin. However, this is a technical, Latinized medical label and the precise clinical sense (velvety patches in body folds) is not fully predictable from the roots alone, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

Acanthosis nigricans comes from old words: acanthosis suggests a 'rough, thick growth' and nigricans means 'black'. The name paints a picture of dark, thick skin patches in places like the neck or armpits, so that's why it refers to this skin condition.