cornu cutaneum - Health Topics
The New England Journal of Medicine: Human Horn (Cornu Cutaneum of Rokitansky) Original Article from The New England Journal of Medicine — Human Horn (Cornu Cutaneum of Rokitansky) ... What is a cutaneous horn? A cutaneous horn (cornu cutaneum) is a hard conical projection from the skin, made of compact keratin.
Understanding the Context
They are so named as they resemble an animal’s horn. They arise from benign, premalignant or malignant skin lesions. Cutaneous horns, also known by the Latin name cornu cutaneum, are unusual keratinous skin tumors with the appearance of horns, or sometimes of wood or coral. Formally, this is a clinical diagnosis for a "conical projection above the surface of the skin." [1] A cutaneous horn, or cornu cutaneum, is a relatively uncommon, hyperkeratotic epithelial lesion resembling an animal horn, characterized by a height more than half of the diameter of its base.
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Key Insights
A cutaneous horn (also called cornu cutaneum) is a clinical term describing a specific type of skin lesion rather than a diagnosis itself. The growth consists of compacted keratin—the same protein that makes up your hair and nails—that projects above the skin's surface in a cone or horn shape. Cutaneous horn, also known as cornu cutaneum, is a rare skin condition characterized by the presence of a horn-like projection on the surface of the skin. This comprehensive article aims to provide a thorough understanding of the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous horn. A cutaneous horn, also known as cornu cutaneum, is an uncommon protuberance of highly compacted keratinous material from the stratum corneum, resembling an animal horn.