Etymed
ichthyosis
Definition
A skin condition characterized by dry, scaly, and fish-scale-like skin
Clinical context
A 7-year-old boy presents with dry, silvery scales covering his arms and legs, especially worse in the winter months. His skin feels rough and he complains of itching. The condition has been present since childhood and runs in his family. On examination, the skin appears thickened with prominent linear fissures.
Mnemonic
Ichthyosis = Fish-scale skin (think 'ichthy' = fish + 'osis' = condition)