Glossary

Category: K

  • Keratomalacia

    Keratomalacia

    An eye disorder that leads to a dry cornea. Progressive softening and ulceration of the cornea, due to vitamin A deficiency. Blindness is usually inevitable unless the deficiency is corrected at an early stage. An affliction of the cornea characterized by dryness with ulceration and perforation resulting from vitamin A deficiency. A softening of the…

  • Keratinophilic

    Having an affinity for keratin. Growing upon substances rich in keratin, such as hair, feathers, nails, and hoofs.  

  • Keratinocyte

    Is the major constituent of the epidermis, constituting 95% of the cells found there. A cell which produces keratin. Epidermal cells which synthesize keratin and undergo characteristic changes as they move upward from the basal layers of the epidermis to the cornified (horny) layer of the skin. Successive stages of differentiation of the keratinocytes forming…

  • Keratin

    A sulphur-containing protein which is a major component in skin, hair, nails, hooves, horns, and teeth. A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins important both as structural proteins and as keys to the study of protein conformation. The family represents the principal constituent of epidermis, hair, nails, horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth…

  • Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV)

    Also known as human herpesvirus-8, is a gamma 2 herpesvirus or rhadinovirus. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) of the plasma cell type, and primary effusion lymphoma and occurs in HIV patients.  

  • KB cell

    A cell line derived from a human carcinoma of the nasopharynx, used as an assay for antineoplastic (anti-tumour) agents.  

  • knife‐edge ridge

    Severely atrophic edentulous maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridge with a sharp crest resulting from progressive resorption, especially after long periods of denture wearing. Cawood and Howell class 4 for the anterior maxilla and mandible.  

  • knife‐edge

    Term used to describe a sharp or narrow morphology of a residual ridge.    

  • Keyway

    An interlock connection that uses a matrix and patrix between the units of a fixed dental prosthesis. Once it is soldered in place, it holds the pontic in its proper relationship to the edentulous ridge and the opposing teeth and reinforces the connector.  

  • Keratosis

    A horny, keratinous growth, particularly on the skin. Also known as a wart or callus. A small skin thickening, swelling, or lump that may be a precursor to cancer. Keratoses, skin condition characterized by an overgrowth of horny skin layers. A skin growth caused by the overproduction of keratin, a protein found in skin, hair,…