xerostomia

[zeer-uh-stoh-mee-uh]

noun

Pathology.

1. dryness of the mouth caused by diminished function of the salivary glands due to aging, disease, drug reaction, etc.

xerostomia

/ ˌziːrəˈstəʊmɪə /

noun

1. abnormal lack of saliva; dryness of the mouth

Word History and Origins

Origin of xerostomia¹

1885–90; xero- + New Latin -stomia a condition of the mouth, as specified by the 1st element; -stome, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of xerostomia¹

C19: from _xero- + _-stom ( _e ) + _-ia

Example Sentences

The grant from the National Institutes of Health is meant to study the problem of dry mouth or xerostomia, a result of decreased saliva flow from under-functioning salivary glands.

Read more on Washington Times

What it means: Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva.

Read more on Time

Yeast infections of the mouth, which are most common among denture-wearers, can spell trouble for your breath, and so can xerostomia – a condition more commonly known as dry mouth.

Read more on US News