Achromatosis

/ˌækroʊməˈtoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

A medical condition characterized by a loss or absence of normal pigmentation or color in tissue or the skin.

Etymology

From Greek 'achromatos' (colorless) + '-osis' (condition or disease state). The '-osis' suffix typically indicates a pathological condition, so this term describes abnormal loss of pigmentation.

Kelly Says

Achromatosis is different from albinism—while albinism is about genetics and melanin production, achromatosis describes when normally pigmented tissue loses its color, which is why the 'pathological' -osis suffix is so important!

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