Xanthosis is a yellowish discoloration of degenerating
tissues, especially seen in malignant
neoplasms. It can be differentiated clinically from
jaundice
Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellowish or greenish pigmentation of the skin and sclera due to high bilirubin levels. Jaundice in adults is typically a sign indicating the presence of underlying diseases involving abnormal heme meta ...
as the
sclerae are colored yellow in jaundice, but are not discolored in xanthosis.
Other uses
Fruit farming
Xanthosis, or yellows, is a mid 20th century term for
strawberry mild yellow-edge virus, a disease in strawberries, cause by the
strawberry aphid. The disease is prevalent throughout the Americas.
Meat industry
Xanthosis is a brown pigmentation of
skeletal
A skeleton is the structural frame that supports the body of an animal. There are several types of skeletons, including the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside ...
and
heart muscles of cattle. The condition is particularly seen in older animals, and in some wasting diseases. Prevalent in
Ayrshire cattle
The Ayrshire (IPA ) is a Scottish breed of dairy cattle. It originates in, and is named for, the county of Ayrshire in south-western Scotland. Ayrshires typically have red and white markings; the red can range from a shade of orange to a dark ...
and their crosses.
Trivia
It was the championship word used in the 1995
Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee (formerly the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and commonly called the National Spelling Bee) is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. The bee is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W. Scri ...
, and was also featured in the film
Akeelah and the Bee.
[ List of Scripps National Spelling Bee champions]
References
{{Reflist
Dermatologic terminology
Meat industry