A red, velvety, plaquelike lesion of mucous membrane that often represents malignant change. [erythro- + G. plax, plate]
* * *
eryth·ro·pla·kia (ə-rith″ro-plaґke-ə) [erythro- + Gr. plax plate + -ia] a slow growing, erythematous, velvety red lesion with well-defined margins, occurring on a mucous membrane, most often in the oral cavity. It is usually associated with severe dysplasia or carcinoma, and occurs in middle-aged to older adults.
Erythroplakia of the tongue.
Medical dictionary. 2011.