onychomycosis

Term: onychomycosis

Literally meaning: “process to fungal nails”

Origin: Anc Greek

/ïνυξ/onix(=nail) > (gen) όνυχος/onychos

μύκης /mykes (=mushroom)

-οσις/-osis (=suffix meaning “condition” or “state”)

Coined/History

In 1853 George Meissner discovered hyphae in a potassium Hydroxide preparation of “a thick finger nail” taken from 80 year old man. In 1856 German physician Rudolf Virchow (1821-1905)  coined the term “onychomycosis”.

Definition

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails which is characterized by pain, discomfort, and disfigurement. Tinea unguim is clinically defined as dermatophytic infection of the nail plate.