1. Collections of mucinous material in the skin, with papule and nodule formation in some cases; usually associated with myxedema (dry swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, associated with an underactive thyroid gland).
2. An abnormal accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the skin.

Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body, often in mucus and in fluid around the joints. They are more commonly called glycosaminoglycans.

When the body cannot break down mucopolysaccharides, a condition called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) occurs.

Mucopolysaccharidoses refers to a group of inherited disorders of metabolism. People with MPS are missing or do not have enough of a substance (enzyme) needed to break down the sugar molecule chains.