ex-foliation

Main Entry: ex·fo·li·a·tion
Pronunciation: (")eks-"fO-lE-'A-sh&n
Function: noun
: the action or process of exfoliating: as a : the peeling of the horny layer of the skin (as in some skin diseases) b : the shedding of surface components (as cells from internal body surfaces when diseased) c : the shedding of a superficial layer of bone or of a tooth or part of a tooth —ex·fo·li·a·tive /eks-'fO-lE-"At-iv/ adjective

exfoliation ex·fo·li·a·tion (ěks-fō'lē-ā'shən)
n.

1. Detachment and shedding of superficial cells of an epithelium or a tissue surface.

2. Scaling or desquamation of the horny layer of epidermis.

3. Loss of deciduous teeth following physiological loss of root structure.

4. Extrusion of permanent teeth as a result of disease or loss of opposing teeth.

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ex·fo'li·ate' v.

exfoliation   (ěks-fō'lē-ā'shən)  Pronunciation Key  The process in which layers of tissue peel or are peeled off an organism, such as the distinctive ways in which bark peels off a tree in strips or flakes.