Tinea
Pronunciation: TIN-ee-uh
A group of superficial fungal (dermatophyte) infections of the skin, hair, or nails, classified by anatomical site using a Latin locator suffix (e.g., tinea pedis, tinea capitis).
Full Definition
Tinea refers to dermatophytosis — infection caused by dermatophyte fungi of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton. The specific diagnosis is qualified by the Latin name of the anatomical region affected: tinea pedis (feet), tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (body), tinea cruris (groin), and tinea unguium (nails). Editors should note that tinea unguium and onychomycosis are not always synonymous; onychomycosis encompasses non-dermatophyte nail infections. The word 'tinea' is always lowercase except when beginning a sentence. Compound forms are not hyphenated.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. The anatomical qualifier is a separate word, not hyphenated (tinea pedis, not tinea-pedis). Avoid the lay term 'ringworm' in clinical documents.
In Context
- "The diagnosis of tinea corporis was confirmed by direct microscopy of skin scrapings treated with potassium hydroxide." — Dermatology clinic letter
- "Editors should verify that the anatomical suffix for tinea infections is not capitalised or hyphenated." — Style note