Body Language: Derm ("Skin")

Learn these words that derive from the Greek word derma, meaning "skin."

Want to dissect more English words related to anatomy? Here are links to our complete set of Body Language lists:
Corp ("Body") / Capit, Capt ("Head") / Or, Os ("Mouth") / Dent, Dont ("Tooth") / Gastr, Gastro ("Stomach") / Neur ("Nerve") / Man ("Hand") / Ped, Pod ("Foot") / Derm ("Skin") / Carn ("Flesh") / Os, Osteo ("Bone") / Cor, Cord, Cardio ("Heart") / Psych ("Mind")
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dermal
    relating to, existing on, or affecting the skin
    “All of that research provides confidence that there is no elevated human health or environmental risk from the ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact with synthetic turf,” the statement said. Washington Post (Sep 22, 2015)
  2. dermatologist
    a doctor who specializes in the physiology of the skin
    Dermatologists generally recommend sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, has an SPF of 30 or higher and is water-resistant. US News (May 19, 2015)
    derm + logy (suffix meaning "science") + ist (suffix meaning "one who does")
  3. dermatitis
    inflammation of the skin
    “Other skin-related problems – such as eczema, body lice, insect bites, fungal infections and various other forms of dermatitis – can make a person susceptible to impetigo.” US News (Jan 26, 2015)
    derm + itis ("inflammation")
  4. dermabrasion
    removal of scars or tattoos by anesthetizing the skin surface and then sanding or scraping off some of the outer skin layer
    Laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peels and the use of fillers are four procedures used to treat acne scars. US News (May 25, 2015)
    derm + ab (prefix meaning "off") + radere ("to scrape") + ion (suffix forming nouns)
    The roots and definition suggest a painful process, while the example sentence describes dermabrasion as a day at the beach. In addition to removing scars and tattoos, dermabrasion can make skin smoother (also called "dermaplaning"). There are also non-surgical microdermabrasion treatments, which can involve applying creams with tiny rough grains.
  5. pachyderm
    a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant or hippo
    Elephant polo — yes, polo played atop pachyderms instead of ponies — is gaining popularity in England. Seattle Times (Sep 24, 2011)
    pachys ("thick") + derm
  6. echinoderm
    marine invertebrates with tube feet and five-part radially symmetrical bodies
    Sea cucumbers, which are shaped like cucumbers with small feet and measure up to 6 feet, are echinoderms, a family that includes starfish and sea urchin. Seattle Times (Sep 29, 2018)
    ekhinos ("sharp points") + derm
    Echinoderms, such as starfish and sea urchins, have rough, bumpy, or spiny skin, which in some cases can change color due to pigment cells that react to light.
  7. scleroderma
    an autoimmune disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissue; fibrous connective tissue is deposited in the skin
    The symptoms and severity of scleroderma can vary, making it difficult to accomplish everyday tasks or, in some cases, threatening vital organs. New York Times (Jul 28, 2010)
    skleros ("hard") + derm
  8. intradermal
    relating to areas between the layers of the skin
    But standard intradermal or subcutaneous injection of irradiated sporozoites has failed to protect humans against malaria. Nature (Apr 25, 2012)
  9. epidermis
    the outer layer of skin covering the body surface
    Your body sheds skin cells so quickly that you have an entire new layer of epidermis every month. Washington Post
    epi ("on, above") + derm
  10. endoderm
    the inner germ layer that develops into the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems
    During embryonic development, all the body's organs and tissues develop from one of the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Nature (Feb 29, 2012)
    endo ("within, inside") + derm
  11. transdermal
    through the unbroken skin
    While data confirming the benefits of transdermal vitamin patches is sparse, companies rely heavily on social media testimony, anecdotal evidence and peer-to-peer referrals to fuel their often staggering sales. Washington Post (Sep 3, 2018)
    trans ("across, through") + derm + al (suffix forming adjectives)
  12. hypodermic
    relating to or located below the epidermis
    One in 10 of us are said to have a fear of the hypodermic needle, a necessary but frequently uncomfortable fact of medical life. BBC (Dec 5, 2014)
    hypo (prefix meaning "under, beneath") + derm + ic (suffix forming adjectives)
  13. taxidermy
    the art of mounting the skins of animals
    They are not to eat, of course, but to stuff, for my rather unusual hobby - especially for a teenage girl - taxidermy. BBC (Feb 18, 2019)
    taxis (arrangement, order) + derm + y (suffix forming nouns)
Created on Thu Jun 04 15:08:12 EDT 2015 (updated Thu Aug 22 13:45:52 EDT 2019)

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