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Ectodermal dysplasia
Ectodermal dysplasia A genetic disorder in which there is abnormal development of the skin and associated structures (the hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands). The most dangerous problem occurs in cases with decreased sweating due to absence of the sweat glands. Affected persons have trouble controlling fevers and being in a warm environment. The hair may also be absent or sparse. The skin tends to be thin and light in color. Problems with the lining inside the nose predispose to chronic nasal infections. The teeth may be notably absent or develop abnormally. There are a number of different types of ectodermal dysplasia. X-linked anhidrotic (non-sweating) ectodermal dysplasia is most common. As an X-linked trait, it mainly affects males. There is also an autosomal dominant form affecting males and females alike. The term "ectodermal dysplasia" refers to the abnormal development (dysplasia) of structures derived from the ectoderm, one of the germ cell layers in the embryo.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Genetic
Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
Abnormal
Not normal. Deviating from the usual structure, position, condition, or behavior. In referring to a growth, abnormal may mean that it is cancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer).
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Skin
Skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. Skin is used for insulation, vitamin D production, sensation, and excretion (through sweat).
Environment
The sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms. The environment is as opposed to genetics. We are the product of our genetic inheritance and our environment.
Chronic
Ongoing or recurring. Chronic medical conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ectodermal
Pertaining to the ectoderm or to tissues derived from the ectoderm, one of the three primary germ cell layers that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers.
Dysplasia
An abnormality of growth.
Anhidrotic
Pertain to anhidrosis, too little sweating. Hidrosis meaning sweating, so an-, too little + hidrosis = too little sweating.
Autosomal
"Pertaining to a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; relating to any one of the chromosomes save the sex chromosomes. People normally have 22 pairs of autosomes (44 autosomes) in each cell together with two sex chromosomes (X and Y in the male and XX in the female). "
Dominant
A genetic trait is considered dominant if it is expressed in a person who has only one copy of that gene. (In genetic terms, a dominant trait is one that is phenotypically expressed in heterozygotes). A dominant trait is opposed to a recessive trait which is expressed only when two copies of the gene are present. (In genetic terms, a recessive trait is one that is phenotypically expressed only in homozygotes).
Ectoderm
One of the three primary germ cell layers (the other two being the mesoderm and endoderm) that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers. It differentiates to give rise to many important tissues and structures including the outer layer of the skin and its appendages (the sweat glands, hair, and nails), the teeth, the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. This much is classic human embryology. Stem cell research, however, has shown that some cells within ectodermal structures retain their ability to differentiate into other tissues. For example, some cells in brain (ectoderm) can become bone marrow (mesoderm).
Germ
A disease-causing microorganism.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Embryo
The early stages of development before an organism becomes self supporting.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Ectoderm
One of the three primary germ cell layers (the other two being the mesoderm and endoderm) that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers. It differentiates to give rise to many important tissues and structures including the outer layer of the skin and its appendages (the sweat glands, hair, and nails), the teeth, the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. This much is classic human embryology. Stem cell research, however, has shown that some cells within ectodermal structures retain their ability to differentiate into other tissues. For example, some cells in brain (ectoderm) can become bone marrow (mesoderm).
Ectodermal
Pertaining to the ectoderm or to tissues derived from the ectoderm, one of the three primary germ cell layers that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers.
Ectomy
A surgical suffix referring to the removal of something. For example, a lumpectomy is the surgical excision of a lump which may be benign or not, tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils, a partial colectomy is removal of part of the colon, an appendectomy is removal of the appendix, etc.
Ectoparasite
A parasite that lives on or in the skin but not within the body. Fleas and lice are ectoparasites. Infestation with an ectoparasite is called an ectoparasitosis.
Ectoparasitosis
Infestation with an ectoparasite, a parasite that lives on or in the skin. The four major ectoparasitoses are pediculosis, scabies, cutaneous larva migrans and tungiasis (sand-flea disease).
Ectopia cordis
A type of birth defect in the heart is abnormally located. In ectopia cordis, the heart usually protrudes outside the chest.
Ectopic
Out of place. An ectopic heart beat originates in an abnormal location of the heart.
Ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Economy class syndrome
The formation of blood clots in veins deep within the legs -- deep vein thrombosis -- occurring during (or just after) a long airplane flight, especially in economy class (tourist class) where there is the least space allotted per passenger and ones legs tend especially to be immobilized for lack of leg room.
Ecstatic
Pertaining to ecstasy, a state of rapture and trancelike elation.
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy.
Ectoderm
One of the three primary germ cell layers (the other two being the mesoderm and endoderm) that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers. It differentiates to give rise to many important tissues and structures including the outer layer of the skin and its appendages (the sweat glands, hair, and nails), the teeth, the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. This much is classic human embryology. Stem cell research, however, has shown that some cells within ectodermal structures retain their ability to differentiate into other tissues. For example, some cells in brain (ectoderm) can become bone marrow (mesoderm).
Ectodermal
Pertaining to the ectoderm or to tissues derived from the ectoderm, one of the three primary germ cell layers that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers.
Ectodermal dysplasia
Ectomy
A surgical suffix referring to the removal of something. For example, a lumpectomy is the surgical excision of a lump which may be benign or not, tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils, a partial colectomy is removal of part of the colon, an appendectomy is removal of the appendix, etc.
Ectoparasite
A parasite that lives on or in the skin but not within the body. Fleas and lice are ectoparasites. Infestation with an ectoparasite is called an ectoparasitosis.
Ectoparasitosis
Infestation with an ectoparasite, a parasite that lives on or in the skin. The four major ectoparasitoses are pediculosis, scabies, cutaneous larva migrans and tungiasis (sand-flea disease).
Ectopia cordis
A type of birth defect in the heart is abnormally located. In ectopia cordis, the heart usually protrudes outside the chest.
Ectrodactyly
The congenital absence of all or part of one or more fingers or toes. The term ectrodactyly has been applied to a variety of malformations of the fingers or toes. It is probably best reserved for: transverse terminal aphalangia (absence of the last bone in the finger or toe), adactylia (total absence of a finger or toes), or acheiria (total absence of one or both hands).
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