acanthosis nigricans

acanthosis /ac·an·tho·sis/ (ak″an-tho´sis) diffuse hyperplasia and thickening of the stratum spinosum of the epidermis.acantholyt´ic

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acanthosis ni´gricans  diffuse velvety acanthosis with dark pigmentation, chiefly in the axillae; it occurs in an adult form, often associated with an internal carcinoma (malignant a. nigricans), and in a benign, nevoid form, more or less generalized. A benign juvenile form associated with obesity, which is sometimes due to endocrine disturbance, is called pseudoacanthosis nigricans.

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acanthosis ni·gri·cans (ngr-knz, ngr-)

n.

An eruption of velvety wartlike growths accompanied by hyperpigmentation in the skin of the armpits, neck, anogenital area, and groin, occurring in a benign form in children, but associated with internal malignancy or reticulosis in adults.

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Acanthosis nigricans

A dark brownish or blackish discoloration of the skin related to overweight and high levels of insulin in the blood. Acanthosis nigricans is most likely to develop in the groin or armpits, or around the back of the neck.

Mentioned in: Insulin Resistance

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acanthosis nigricans

[nē′grikanz′]

a skin disease characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety thickening of the skin, common in the neck, axilla, and groin. There are benign and malignant forms; the latter is most often associated with cancers of the GI tract. See also acanthosis.

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acanthosis

an increased thickness of the stratum spinosum, due to either an increased number or hypertrophy of cells.

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frictional acanthosis

see acanthosis nigricans (below).

acanthosis nigricans

a skin disease of dogs characterized by hyperpigmentation, lichenification, seborrhea, and alopecia commencing in the axillae and often spreading to involve flexural surfaces of all limbs, and the ventral body. Dachshunds are particularly predisposed to primary acanthosis, often developing the first changes at a young age. Sporadic cases are secondary to systemic disease, endocrinopathies, hypersensitivity reactions and friction in body folds.

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acanthosis nigricans 

A rare skin disorder presenting numerous superficial, pigmented papillomatous growths on various parts of the body. Ocular manifestations are primarily papillomatous lesions of the lid margins, which may be so extensive as to cause punctal occlusion, as well as papillary conjunctivitis. Syn. keratosis nigricans.

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acanthosis nigricans

Dermatology A condition characterized by hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis Forms Malignant–associated with CA–eg, gastric CA, but also rarely Hodgkin's disease, or bone CA; inherited; endocrine–associated with pituitary tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, idiopathic