leukoplakia

American  

[loo-kuh-pley-kee-uh] / ˌlu kəˈpleɪ ki ə /

Or leucoplakia

noun

Pathology.

1. a disorder of a mucous membrane characterized by one or more white patches, occurring most commonly on the cheek, tongue, vulva, or penis: often medically insignificant but sometimes becoming malignant.

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Etymology

Origin of leukoplakia

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to Greek leuko- leuko- + plak-, stem of pláx flat surface, taken as “tongue” + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Lula, 77, had small white patches called "leukoplakia" removed from his larynx last month, after beating President Jair Bolsonaro in an Oct.

From Reuters • Dec. 4, 2022

The gums may recede, the teeth loosen, biting surfaces are abraded, and tough, white patches called leukoplakia may appear on the gums and cheeks.

From Time Magazine Archive

Doctors estimate that between 3% and 6% of the callus-like | leukoplakia ultimately become malignant.

From Time Magazine Archive

Just before his 67th birthday, a bearded, scholarly-looking man suffering from leukoplakia appeared at the clinic of Vienna Rhinologist Marcus Hajek.

From Time Magazine Archive