Definition

A condition caused by an infection with pinworms, which are small parasitic worms that can cause itching and discomfort, especially around the anus.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with oxyuriasis after she complained of severe itching.

Conversation

Have you heard about oxyuriasis?

No, what is it?

It's a condition caused by pinworms, and it's pretty common in kids.

Oh wow, I had no idea! I hope it’s easy to treat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oxyuriasis is formed from "oxy-" (from Greek "oxus", meaning sharp or acid) and "uriasis" (from Greek "ouron", meaning urine). The term refers to a condition related to the presence of sharp or pointed pinworms in the urine, indicating a parasitic infection.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sharp' ('oxy-') and 'urine' ('ouron') to remember that oxyuriasis refers to a condition involving sharp pinworms related to urine.

Visually Confused Words