epidermal growth factor (redirected from Epidermal growth factor family)

epidermal growth factor (EGF)

[ep′idur′məl]

a mitogenic polypeptide produced by many cell types and made in large amounts by some tumors. It promotes growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is also important in wound healing. It has been found to be part of a family of compounds that includes also transforming growth factor.

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epidermal

pertaining to or emanating from epidermis.

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epidermal appendage

see hair, claw, hoof, horn, chestnut (1), ergot2, dewclaw, comb, wattle, spur (3), pad, footpad, beak, frontal process, feather (1), cere, scale, fin, antler, bristle (1), wool, mohair, cashmere, angora.

epidermal clefts

slit-like discontinuities in the epidermis that do not contain fluid.

epidermal collarette

a feature of a skin lesion, consisting of an encircling rim of epidermal scale with the free edge toward the central area. May represent the margins of an earlier bulla, vesicle or pustule. Characteristic of bullous pemphigoid.

epidermal crust

a consolidated mass of cellular debris, dried exudate, serum, hair, epidermophytic hyphae. Usually is dry and crumbly but in parakeratosis may have a greasy feel about it.

epidermal cyst, epidermoid cyst

an intradermal or subcutaneous cyst containing keratinizing squamous epithelium. It arises from occluded hair follicles. Called also infundibular cyst, wen.

epidermal dysplasia

abnormal development of individual cells of the epidermis. In West Highland white terriers, a familial skin disease characterized by seborrhea, pruritus, alopecia and lichenification from an early age. Infection by Malassezia spp. is a common feature. See also inherited epidermal dysplasia of calves.

epidermal growth factor

a potent growth factor for both epithelial and fibroblast cells.

epidermal lacunae

see epidermal clefts (above).

epidermal laminae

structures formed of epidermal pegs; part of the interdigitating structure between the dermis and the epidermis. Called also epidermal ridges.

epidermal limbi

the layer of soft, light-colored horn that covers the outer side of the coronary border and merges with the horn of the hoof.

epidermal-melanin unit

a melanocyte and adjacent keratinocytes.

epidermal necrolysis

see toxic epidermal necrolysis.

epidermal nibbles

focal areas of epidermal edema, eosinophils and necrosis; suggestive of ectoparasite injury to the skin.

epidermal papilla

a knob-like projection of the epidermis into the dermis; a touch receptor. Called also tylotrich pad and haarscheiben.

epidermal pegs

see rete pegs.

epidermal renewal time

see keratinocyte transit time.

epidermal ridge

see rete ridge.