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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Ceramide

Ceramide is the core of every sphingolipid: sphingosine joined to a fatty acid. It also acts as a stress and cell-death signal.

Updated 2026-11-01

Loading the 3D model…

## Key facts

- Sphingosine (an 18-carbon amino alcohol) + a fatty acid in an amide bond.
- It is made in the endoplasmic reticulum from serine + palmitoyl-CoA.
- It is the end point of lysosomal breakdown of all sphingolipids and the starting point of their synthesis.
- In skin, ceramides seal the stratum corneum and prevent water loss.

**Also called**
N-acylsphingosine, C16 ceramide (3D model)

**Formula**
C₃₄H₆₇NO₃

**PubChem**
[CID 5353456](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5353456)

## Structure

- The 3D model (PDB 16C) is C16 ceramide: sphingosine with a palmitate on the nitrogen.
- It has two hydrophobic tails and a small head with two OH groups; no phosphate and no sugar.

## Clinical notes

- Acid ceramidase breaks it down to sphingosine; its deficiency causes Farber disease (subcutaneous nodules, arthritis, hoarseness).
- Excess ceramide favours apoptosis and insulin resistance in muscle and liver.

## Pathways

- [Lysosomal ganglioside breakdown](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/lysosomal-ganglioside-breakdown/)

## Related conditions

- [Gaucher disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gaucher-disease/)
- [Niemann–Pick disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/niemann-pick-disease/)
- [Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/krabbe-disease/)

## Related

- [Sphingolipids and sphingolipidoses](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/sphingolipids-and-sphingolipidoses/)
- [Sphingomyelin](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/sphingomyelin/)
- [Glucosylceramide (glucocerebroside)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucosylceramide/)
- [Galactosylceramide (galactocerebroside)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/galactosylceramide/)
- [Acid sphingomyelinase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/acid-sphingomyelinase/)
- [Glucocerebrosidase (acid β-glucosidase)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/glucocerebrosidase/)
- [Palmitate (palmitic acid)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/palmitate/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which two parts make up a ceramide?

Sphingosine and a fatty acid joined by an amide bond.

## What is added to ceramide to make sphingomyelin?

Phosphocholine, donated by phosphatidylcholine.

## Which disease does acid ceramidase deficiency cause?

Farber disease: ceramide builds up in joints, skin and larynx.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [N-Palmitoylsphingosine (CID 5353456)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5353456) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [RCSB PDB - 16C Ligand Summary Page](https://www.rcsb.org/ligand/16C) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); [Sphingolipid de novo biosynthesis](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-1660661) (Reactome, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/ceramide/
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