Dermatolysis

/ˌdɜːmətɒlɪsɪs/ noun

Definition

The breaking down, dissolution, or separation of skin tissue, either naturally during healing or abnormally in certain skin diseases.

Etymology

From Greek 'derma' (skin) and 'lysis' (breaking down or loosening). This medical term emerged in the 19th century to describe pathological processes where skin tissue degenerates or separates from underlying structures.

Kelly Says

Dermatolysis occurs in conditions like epidermolysis bullosa, where the skin is so fragile that it blisters and separates with minimal trauma—patients have to be incredibly careful with their skin, and doctors are still working on gene therapies to fix the underlying protein defects.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.