Vernix Caseosa (Noun)
Meaning
A white cheeselike protective material that covers the skin of a fetus.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The vernix caseosa helps to protect the fetus's skin from the amniotic fluid, reducing the risk of infection and water loss.
- The thick layer of vernix caseosa that covered the newborn's skin was still present after birth, a normal occurrence in full-term babies.
- The vernix caseosa also aids in the birth process by allowing the baby to move more easily through the birth canal and reducing the risk of trauma to the skin.
- Researchers have found that the vernix caseosa contains antimicrobial properties that help to protect the fetus from infection before birth.
- After birth, the vernix caseosa is gradually absorbed into the skin or washed off, normally within the first few days of life.