xanthelasma

Term: xanthelasma

Literally meaning: “a yellow plate”

Origin: Anc Greek

ξανθός/xanthos(=golden, yellow, blond)

+έλασμα/elasma(=beaten metal plate)

Coined/History

In 1877 by English surgeon and dermatologist Erasmus Wilson (1809-1884) and initially applied the term to any xanthoma (yellowish nodules).

Definition

Xanthelasma is the  condition in which small yellowish plaques raised on the skin surface of the upper or lower eyelids most often near the inner canthus. Xanthelasma is  primarily made up of cholesterol deposits with calcium salts.