What does dermatology mean?
Word: Dermatology
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Dermatology means the branch of medicine that studies the skin, hair and nails and treats their diseases. A doctor who works in it is a dermatologist.
How do you spell dermatology?
Syllables: der - ma - tol - o - gy
Tricky part: The o before -logy is the one students lose: they write dermatalogy, as if the ending were -alogy.
Watch out for: dermatalogy, dermatolgy, dermatolagy
Memory tip: Dermatology is an -ology, the study ending of biology and zoology, so the letter before -logy is o.
Dermatology in a sentence
Example 1: Ananya wants to study dermatology because she is curious about why some people get rashes.
Example 2: The dermatology clinic at the hospital was full of patients with summer skin allergies.
Example 3: Our school nurse said that dermatology covers hair loss and nail problems too.
Fun Fact
The skin that dermatology studies is the body's largest organ; in an adult it weighs roughly 3 to 4 kilograms.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) zoology
b) dermotology
c) geology
d) astrology
Show answer
b) dermotology. The skin part of the word is derma, so the letter after the m is a.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. dermatology 2. cardiology 3. neurology a. the study of the skin b. the study of the nerves and brain c. the study of the heart
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Each science is named after the body part it studies: skin, heart, and nerves and brain.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. dermatology 2. derive 3. dermis
a) 123
b) 312
c) 231
d) 213
Show answer
d) 213. Derive goes first because its fourth letter, i, comes before m; dermatology then beats dermis at the fifth letter.
Sound Check
In which word is 'er' pronounced differently?
a) dermatology
b) perfume
c) mermaid
d) hero
Show answer
d) hero. Hero says its e-r as 'eer'; dermatology, mermaid and perfume share the 'ur' sound.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A dermatology clinic would be the right place to treat ___.
a) a blocked ear
b) dandruff on the scalp
c) a cavity in a tooth
d) a sprained wrist
Show answer
b) dandruff on the scalp
2. Which of these is studied in dermatology?
a) broken bones
b) freckles and moles
c) short sight
d) tooth decay
Show answer
b) freckles and moles
