Alopecia senilis is a medical condition that is commonly referred to as age-related hair loss. The word "alopecia" is pronounced [æləˈpiːʃə] in IPA phonetic transcription and refers to a loss of hair, while "senilis" is pronounced [səˈnaɪlɪs] and means related to old age. The spelling of this word is based on Latin roots, which often use "ae" in place of a single vowel. Despite the complex spelling, alopecia senilis is a common condition that affects many people as they age.
Alopecia senilis, also known as senile alopecia, is a condition characterized by the gradual and natural hair loss that occurs with age. Derived from the Latin word "alopecia" meaning baldness, and "senilis" meaning old age, the term refers to the normal hair thinning and hair loss commonly observed in older individuals, typically those aged 60 and above.
Alopecia senilis is different from other forms of alopecia, such as alopecia areata or androgenetic alopecia, which involve excessive or abnormal hair loss. In contrast, alopecia senilis is considered a natural process and is not associated with any underlying medical conditions or external factors.
As individuals age, their hair follicles go through a gradual and expected process of miniaturization, where the size and length of the hair follicles decrease. Consequently, the hair becomes finer, shorter, and less pigmented. This leads to a general thinning of the hair, particularly on the scalp, resulting in the appearance of hair loss.
While alopecia senilis is a normal part of the aging process, it can sometimes cause emotional distress or affect an individual's self-esteem. In such cases, individuals may choose to explore cosmetic interventions, such as hair transplantation or the use of hair growth products, to counteract or slow down the effects of alopecia senilis.
Overall, alopecia senilis is a term used to describe the natural, age-related hair thinning and hair loss that occurs in older individuals, often without an underlying pathological cause.
The normal falling of the hair of the scalp in old age.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "alopecia senilis" is derived from the Latin roots "alopecia", meaning "baldness", and "senilis", meaning "relating to old age". So, "alopecia senilis" refers to the type of hair loss or baldness that occurs in old age.