The word "seborrheic" is a bit tricky to spell because of its four consecutive consonants - b, r, r, and h. In IPA phonetic transcription, "seborrheic" is pronounced /sɪˌbɔrˈiːɪk/, with stress on the third syllable. The word comes from the Greek words "sebum" meaning "fat" and "rhein" meaning "to flow." It refers to a skin condition that causes excessive oil production and flaking or scaling of the skin. Remember, when in doubt about the spelling of a word, take a closer look at its etymology!
Seborrheic is an adjective derived from the medical term "seborrhea," which refers to a common, chronic skin disorder characterized by excessive secretion of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, which is necessary for maintaining skin elasticity and protecting it from external factors. However, in seborrhea, there is an overproduction of sebum, resulting in various skin manifestations.
When used to describe a medical condition or disorder, "seborrheic" typically refers to a specific form of dermatitis called seborrheic dermatitis. This condition mainly affects areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face, and upper body. It is often characterized by red, irritated skin, oily or greasy patches, flaky or scaly skin, and itching or discomfort.
Additionally, "seborrheic" can also refer to other anatomical structures or processes related to the sebaceous glands, sebum production, or skin conditions associated with excessive sebum secretion. For instance, "seborrheic keratosis" refers to a common benign skin tumor characterized by raised, wart-like lesions with a rough texture, typically occurring in older individuals. "Seborrheic alopecia" refers to hair loss or thinning caused by seborrheic dermatitis affecting the scalp.
Overall, the term "seborrheic" is used in medical contexts to describe various skin conditions or anatomical features related to excessive sebum production, particularly seborrheic dermatitis and its associated manifestations.
Seborrheal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "seborrheic" is derived from the Latin word "sebum", which means "tallow" or "grease". The term "seborrheic" is combined with the Greek suffix "-ic", indicating "pertaining to", resulting in the meaning of "pertaining to sebum". Seborrheic is commonly used to describe a skin condition characterized by excessive oiliness, such as seborrheic dermatitis, which involves skin inflammation and flaking due to the overproduction of sebum.