How Do You Spell LEPIDIC?

Pronunciation: [lɛpˈɪdɪk] (IPA)

Lepidic is a term that refers to structures found in the lungs that are associated with cancer. The word is pronounced /lɛˈpɪdɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable. The letter combination "epi" creates the /ɛp/ sound, while the letter "d" at the end of the word creates the /k/ sound. The word "lepidic" is not commonly used outside of medical terminology but is important for doctors to know in order to properly diagnose and treat lung cancer.

LEPIDIC Meaning and Definition

1. Lepidic is an adjective form derived from the noun "lepidosis" which refers to the scaling or scaly nature of an anatomical structure. In medical terminology, the term "lepidic" is commonly used to describe a specific growth pattern observed in tumors.

   Lepidic growth pattern, or lepidic spread, is primarily associated with lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma. It describes the spread of cancer cells along the lining of the lung's air spaces, typically without invading the underlying lung tissue. In this pattern, the tumor cells preserve the alveolar architecture (tiny air sacs in the lungs), resulting in a distinctive histological appearance. The cells appear to be arranged in a flat layer along the alveolar walls, resembling scales or layers, hence the term "lepidic." This growth pattern is considered to be less invasive and associated with a better prognosis compared to other more aggressive forms of lung cancer.

   Outside the realm of oncology, the term lepidic can also be used in a broader sense to describe any scaly or scale-like structure or appearance, especially in the context of natural history or anatomy. For instance, in botany, lepidic can describe the scales found on certain plant parts, such as leaves or stems. In zoology, it can denote the presence of scales or scale-like structures on a variety of organisms, such as reptiles, fish, or insects. The term highlights the scaly nature of these structures, emphasizing their characteristic appearance and texture.

2. Relating to a lining membrane of the embryo, referring to the ectodermic, entodermic, and mesothelial structures.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for LEPIDIC

• lepidae
• lepid
• lepida
• kepidic
• pepidic
• oepidic
• lwpidic
• lspidic
• ldpidic
• lrpidic
• l4pidic
• l3pidic
• leoidic
• lelidic
• le-idic
• le0idic
• lepudic
• lepjdic
• lepkdic
• lepodic

Etymology of LEPIDIC

The word "lepidic" has its origin in the Greek term "lepís" (λεπίς), meaning "a scale". In Ancient Greek, "lepidos" (λεπίδος) referred to scales or scaly, while "lepidikos" (λεπιδικός) meant "pertaining to scales". This eventually led to the formation of the English word "lepidic", which relates to scales or scaly in nature, especially in reference to organic or biological contexts.