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Glite Dictionary
🧑 Like skin 🦠 A benign cyst
dermoid

dermoid

8.9
Like skin and often found in cysts or tumors that contain skin parts
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɜr.mɔɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dermoide
  • The doctor explained that a dermoid cyst can develop in the ovaries and may contain hair and skin cells.

Examples

  • She underwent surgery to remove a dermoid tumor, which had formed on her lower back and resembled a small pouch.

  • The ultrasound revealed a dermoid growth in the patient's abdomen, and the technician noted its unusual appearance.

  • The differential diagnoses include dermoid and inclusion cysts, preauricular sinuses, hemangiomas, and malignant soft-tissue tumors.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

dermal
vsdermoid
  • Specialized
8 6.0

Relating to the skin or its layers

describes tumors that mimic skin structure rather than genuine layers
cutaneous
vsdermoid
  • Specialized
3 7.3

Affecting the skin, for example a rash or sore

describes growths that resemble skin rather than being real skin
dermic
vsdermoid
  • Specialized
8.5

Relating to the deep layer of skin under the outer layer

refers to growths that resemble skin but may not sit in that layer

Compounds

dermoid cyst
  • Specialized
8.4

A harmless lump under the skin that includes hair, bits of skin, or teeth

Surface Forms

dermoid positive

Morphology

dermoid = derm (semi-transparent) = derm + oid

The suffix '-oid' indicates resemblance, but the specific medical context may not be immediately clear to all learners.

Etymology

Dermoid comes from the Greek root derm or derma, meaning 'skin', and the ending -oid means 'like'. So dermoid describes something that is 'skin-like', which fits medical use for cysts or growths that can contain skin, hair, or teeth.