Definition

A medical condition where white patches appear on the mucous membranes, particularly in the mouth or on the vulva, often indicating irritation or other underlying issues.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with leukoplakia after noticing the white patches in her mouth.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of leukoplakia?

Yeah, I read about it recently; it's those white patches in the mouth, right?

Exactly! I was surprised to learn it's not really serious but can be a sign of other issues.

Totally! It's important to get it checked if you notice anything like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Leukoplakia → It is formed from "leuko-" (from Greek "leukos", meaning white) and "plakia" (from Greek "plax", meaning plate or patch). The term describes a condition characterized by white patches on mucous membranes.

Memory Tip

Think of 'white' ('leuko-') patches or 'plates' ('plakia') in the mouth or other areas, which helps you remember that leukoplakia refers to these white patches.

Visually Confused Words