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vernix caseosa

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
vernix /ver·nix/ (ver´niks) [L.] varnish.
vernix caseo´sa  an unctuous substance composed of sebum and desquamated epithelial cells, which covers the skin of the fetus.

ver·nix ca·se·o·sa (vûrnks ks-s)
n.
The substance consisting of desquamated epithelial cells and sebaceous matter that covers the skin of the fetus.

vernix caseosa
[vur′niks kas′ē·ō′sə]
Etymology: Gk, resin; L, caseus, cheese
a grayish-white cheeselike substance, consisting of sebaceous gland secretions, lanugo, and desquamated epithelial cells, that covers the skin of the fetus and newborn. It acts as a protective agent during intrauterine life and is thought to have an insulating effect against heat loss.

vernix [ver´niks] (L.)
varnish.
vernix caseo´sa the thick white substance composed of sebum and desquamated epithelial cells that provides a protective covering for the skin of the fetus. In the full-term newborn, during the first two or three days of life there is a small amount of vernix caseosa in body creases and the hair.

vernix
[L.] varnish.

vernix caseosa
the unctuous substance composed of sebum and desquamated epithelial cells, covering the skin of the fetus.

vernix caseosa
Neonatology A white fatty goo composed of squames, lanugo, and sebaceous secretions, which covers and protects neonatal skin; the closer to term the infant, the less the VC; post-term infants have very little VC


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An artificial version of vernix caseosa could speed up wound healing and treat eczema.
Natural vernix caseosa contains a mixture of fatty compounds that waterproof the foetus.
Now, a cosmetics lesson: Nourishing Night & Day Cream, the newest addition to the Care by Stella McCartney organic skin-care line, uses an ingredient based on vernix caseosa to moisturize and insulate the skin from the potentially damaging effects of temperature change, stress and pollution.
 
 
 
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