Prefix · skin · tissue
Means "skin": dermatology, dermal, dermatitis, dermatologist, epidermis.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Derm- (also derma-, dermato-) comes from Greek "derma" (skin) and appears mainly in medical vocabulary. Dermatology = the medical specialty studying and treating the skin; dermal = relating to the skin; dermatitis = skin inflammation; dermatologist = a doctor specialising in skin; epidermis = the outermost skin layer (epi- = upon + dermis). The Spanish equivalent is the same prefix: dermato-, dermo-.
The skin is the human body's largest organ, and derm- appears across all aspects of its study and treatment. The skin layers in English: epidermis (outer layer, epi- + dermis), dermis (middle layer), hypodermis (deep layer, hypo- = below). Common medical terms: dermatitis (inflammation), melanoderm (dark skin, melan- = black), pachyderm (thick skin, pachy- = thick, as in an elephant).
Combines with Greek roots in medical and cosmetic vocabulary:
Pronunciation: /dɜːrm/. Spanish cognates: dermatología (dermatology), dermis (dermis), dermatitis (dermatitis), epidermis (epidermis). The "dermatólogo" (dermatologist) is the skin specialist.
derm-/dɜːrm/
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"Epidermis" (epi- = upon/over + dermis): the protective outer surface of the skin. "Dermis" (derm- = skin): the thicker middle layer with structural and functional elements. The hypodermis (hypo- = below) is the deepest layer of subcutaneous fat. A mnemonic: EPI is on top, like an epicentre is above the centre.
A trick to remember it
Derm- = skin. Spanish cognates: dermatología, dermis, dermatitis, epidermis. Skin layers: epi+dermis (surface) → dermis (middle) → hypo+dermis (deep). "Pachyderm" (pachy- = thick + derm- = skin) names thick-skinned animals like elephants.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "epidermis" and "dermis"?
The prefix derm- means "skin": dermatology, dermal, dermatitis, dermatologist, epidermis. In Spanish it usually maps to derm- / dermo-.
The prefix derm- is pronounced /dɜːrm/. For example, "dermatology".
"atology" becomes "dermatology". It is a typical example of the derm- prefix.
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