Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
lanugo
Pronunciation: la-NEW-go
Fine, soft hair covering the fetus and newborn, typically shed before or shortly after birth.
Full Definition
Lanugo is the fine, downy hair that covers the fetus beginning around 20 weeks gestation and is usually shed before term delivery. In premature infants, lanugo may be more prominent and persist longer after birth. This hair serves a protective function in utero and its presence or absence can provide information about gestational age at delivery. Lanugo is most commonly seen on the shoulders, back, and extremities of newborns, particularly those born prematurely.
Usage
Usage note: Lowercase except at sentence beginning. Singular and plural forms are the same in medical usage.
In Context
- "Moderate lanugo was present on the infant's shoulders and back, consistent with 34 weeks gestation." — Neonatal examination
- "The absence of lanugo suggested a term gestation infant." — Newborn assessment
Also known as
fetal hair
downy hair
Don't confuse with
vellus hair
terminal hair