Glossary "K"

KAPOSI’S SARCOMA (kah POH seas sar KOH muh):
A previously rare skin cancer now common in AIDS patients.

KERATIN (KER ah tin):
The tough protein that is the major component of stratum corneum cells, hair, hoof, horn, and nails.

KERATINIZATION (KER ah tin ih ZAY shun):
The process by which the epidermis forms its outer protective layer, the stratum corneum.

KERATINOCYTE (KER ah TIN oh SITE):
Epidermal cell that undergoes differentiation to eventually become a dead, flattened cell of the stratum corneum.

KERATITIS (ker ah TIE tis):
Inflammation of the cornea of the eye.

KERATOSIS PILARIS:
Red and white horny, pointed plugs around the hair follicles of the cheeks and sides of the arms, seen most frequently before puberty, but may be seen with teenage acne.

KERATOHYALIN GRANULE (KER ah toh HIGH ah lin GRAN yule):
Granule contained in the granular cell layer of the epidermis. Contains the protein filaggrin.

KERATOLYTIC (KER ah toh LIT ik):
Topical agent that causes peeling of the stratum corneum.

KETOCONAZOLE (KEE toh CON ah zole):
A topical and systemic antifungal agent.

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