A thickening of the epidermis (outer skin layer), often appearing as darkened, velvety patches.
From Greek 'akantha' (thorn) + '-osis' (condition or state). The term refers to the spiny appearance of thickened skin cells under a microscope.
The most common form, acanthosis nigricans, appears as dark, velvety skin and is often the body's way of signaling metabolic problems—dermatologists call it nature's diagnostic clue.
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