Scleroderma

{skle - ro - derfmah) [oK/qpoc, hard; 6t pua, skin]. A disease characterized by a progre ive induration of the skin, occurring either in circumscribed patches (see Morphea) or diffusely. The skin becomes hard, pigmented, and firmly attached to the underlying ti ues; destructive changes may also occur, and joints may become immobile from adhesions of the skin. The cause of S. is not known. 570