keratohyalin

9.9

A substance in skin cells that helps make the strong protein keratin

noun

Specialized

: queratohialina

The presence of keratohyalin granules can be observed under a microscope in the stratum granulosum.

Examples

Abnormalities in keratohyalin formation may affect the skin's protective barrier.
The skin contains keratohyalin granules in the epidermis.
Medical students studied the structure and function of keratohyalin during their dermatology rotation.
Researchers study keratohyalin to understand skin health.
Abnormalities in keratohyalin formation may affect the skin's protective barrier.
Medical students studied the structure and function of keratohyalin during their dermatology rotation.
The presence of keratohyalin granules can be observed under a microscope in the stratum granulosum.

Surface Forms

keratohyalin singular

keratohyalins plural

Morphology

keratohyalin = keratin (opaque) = kerato + hyalin

The term is built from specialist combining forms referring to keratin and hyaline materials; these technical elements are not productive English morphemes for average learners, so the base relation is not transparently inferable.

Etymology

Keratohyalin combines kerato- ('horn'), which you see in keratin, and hyalin ('glass' or 'glassy'). So the name suggests a glassy, horn-like material in skin cells that helps form the tough protein keratin, explaining its role in making the skin's protective layer.