What is kraurosis?

Kraurosis refers specifically to the atrophy and dryness of skin and mucous membranes, particularly in the context of female genitalia, where it is associated with conditions such as vulvar kraurosis. This condition leads to a thinning of the skin and can result in discomfort, irritation, or pain due to the loss of moisture and elasticity. Understanding the nature of kraurosis helps in identifying symptoms and provides insights into potential treatments or management strategies for individuals affected by this condition.

The other options describe different medical terms or conditions that do not align with the definition of kraurosis: telescoping of intestinal parts refers to intussusception, a serious medical condition; a functional disorder marked by spasticity relates to conditions like spastic cerebral palsy; and fine, downy hair on a fetus is known as lanugo, which has no connection to kraurosis. This distinction reinforces the accuracy of identifying atrophy and dryness as the defining characteristics of kraurosis.