xeroderma pigmentosum

[ pig-muh n-toh-suh m ]
/ ˌpɪg mənˈtoʊ səm /

noun Pathology.

a rare inherited disease characterized by sensitivity to ultraviolet light, exposure resulting in lesions and tumors of the skin and eyes.

Origin of xeroderma pigmentosum

1880–85; < New Latin: pigmented xeroderma; see pigment, -ose1

Words nearby xeroderma pigmentosum

Medical definitions for xeroderma pigmentosum

xeroderma pigmentosum
[ pĭg′mən-tōsəm, -mĕn- ]

n.

A rare hereditary skin disorder caused by a defect in the enzymes that repair DNA damaged by ultraviolet light and resulting in hypersensitivity to the carcinogenic effect of ultraviolet light.