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Dictionary · Word part

kerat/o

A word root that means horny tissue (keratin, as in skin and nails) or the cornea of the eye.

KAIR-uh-toh root

What it means

The root has two meanings. In skin words it means hard, horny tissue: keratin is the tough protein in skin, hair and nails, and a keratosis is a rough, thickened patch of skin. In eye words it means the cornea: keratitis is inflammation of the cornea.

At a glance

Also writtenkerato-

Related terms

-osis

A word ending that means an abnormal condition or process, or an increase.

epidermis

The thin outer layer of the skin.

onych/o

A word root that means nail (of a finger or toe).

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