vernix caseosa

[ vur-niks key-see-oh-suh ]
/ ˈvɜr nɪks ˌkeɪ siˈoʊ sə /

noun Medicine/Medical.

the fatty matter, consisting chiefly of dead epidermal cells and sebaceous secretions, covering the skin of a fetus and newborn.

Origin of vernix caseosa

< New Latin: cheeselike varnish

Medical definitions for vernix caseosa

vernix caseosa
[ vûrnĭks kā′sē-ōsə ]

n.

The substance consisting of desquamated epithelial cells and sebaceous matter that covers the skin of the fetus.