Category: Da-Dg

To remove the moisture from a thing that normally contains moisture, such as a plant; to dry out completely; to preserve by drying. The process of desiccating a thing is called desiccation; an agent used to bring about desiccation is called a desiccant or a desiccator. Manufacturers of dietary supplements and medicines desiccate some products to extend…

Diethylstilbestrol, the earliest synthetic (man-made) form of a hormone in the estrogen class. Diethylstilbestrol was once widely prescribed to prevent miscarriages and premature births. Its usage was standard practice in the 1950s and 1960s. Millions of women received the drug. Girls whose mothers were given Diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy (“DES daughters”) were discovered to be at increased risk for…

A bizarre tumor, usually benign, in the ovary that typically contains a diversity of tissues including hair, teeth, bone, thyroid, etc. A dermoid cyst develops from a totipotential germ cell (a primary oocyte) that is retained within the egg sac (ovary). Being totipotential, that cell can give rise to all orders of cells necessary to form mature tissues and often…

Dermatosis: a disease or abnormal condition of the skin. The term is often used to refer to diseases that do not feature inflammation, because inflammation of the skin is referred to as dermatitis.

1. The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the skin, hair, nails, oral cavity and genitals. 2. Sometimes also, cosmetic care and enhancement.Dermatology is literally the study of the skin.

Having to do with skin.

Dermatitis herpetiformis: an autoimmune condition that results in a chronic, itchy skin rash. Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by bumps and blisters occurring primarily on the forearms, knees, elbows, buttocks, back, or scalp. Most people with the condition also have gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease). It is most common in people of Northern European ancestry. The exact cause of dermatitis herpetiformis is not fully understood, but…

Inflammation of the skin, either due to an inherent skin defect, direct contact with an irritating substance, or to an allergic reaction. Symptoms of dermatitis include redness, itching, and in some cases blistering. Eczema can be particularly severe and difficult to treat once it is established. Treatment is two-fold. People who suffer from dermatitis must identify and avoid…

Pertaining to the skin. From the Greek word derma for skin.

An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks about things. Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with…