- Xerostomia
- Dry mouth. Xerostomia can be associated with systemic diseases (such as Sjogrens syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, and others). Xerostomia results from inadequate function of the salivary glands, such as the parotid glands. Untreated, severe dry mouth can lead to increased levels of tooth decay and thrush. The word xerostomia reflects its Greek origins from “xeros” (dry) + “stoma” (mouth).
* * *A dryness of the mouth, having a varied etiology, resulting from diminished or arrested salivary secretion, or asialism. [xero- + G. stoma, mouth]
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xe·ro·sto·mia .zir-ə-'stō-mē-ə n abnormal dryness of the mouth due to insufficient secretions called also dry mouth* * *
n.* * *
xe·ro·sto·mia (zēr″o-stoґme-ə) [xero- + stom- + -ia] dryness of the mouth from salivary gland dysfunction, as in Sjцgren syndrome.Caries associated with radiation-induced xerostomia.
Medical dictionary. 2011.