MEDLINEplus Health Information: Return to home page   A service of the National Library of Medicine: Go to NLM home page
Search     Advanced Search    Site Map    About MEDLINEplus    Home
Health Topics: conditions, diseases and wellness Drug Information: generic and brand name drugs Dictionaries: spellings and definitions of medical terms Directories: doctors, dentists and hospitals Other Resources: organizations, libraries, publications, MEDLINE

Medical Encyclopedia
Disease     Injury     Nutrition     Poison     Special     Surgery     Symptoms     Tests
Acanthosis nigricans - close-up
Acanthosis nigricans on the hand
 
Overview   

Acanthosis nigricans

Definition:

A skin condition characterized by increased pigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin). It occurs most commonly in the flexural skin areas (behind knee, front of elbow, neck, etc.). The disorder is related to insulin metabolism and appears in diseases which affect insulin metabolism including obesity. In adults the condition may be associated with malignant tumors.


Adam

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments.