Vernix caseosa
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 The waxy or "cheesy" white substance found coating the skin of newborn humans. uncountable
"1888 Austin Flint: A Text-book of human physiology The protecting coat of vernix caseosa allows the skin to perform its office in utero, and at birth, when this coating is removed, the surface is found in a condition perfectly adapted to extrauterine existence. It is not probable that the vernix caseosa is necessary to facilitate the passage of the child into the world, for the parts of the mother are always sufficiently lubricated with mucous secretion."
- 2 a white cheeselike protective material that covers the skin of a fetus wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"1888 Austin Flint: A Text-book of human physiology The protecting coat of vernix caseosa allows the skin to perform its office in utero, and at birth, when this coating is removed, the surface is found in a condition perfectly adapted to extrauterine existence. It is not probable that the vernix caseosa is necessary to facilitate the passage of the child into the world, for the parts of the mother are always sufficiently lubricated with mucous secretion."
Etymology
From Latin vernix (“varnish”) + caseosa (“cheesy”).