exostosis
Definition
Noun: A benign, bony growth that projects outward from the surface of a bone. It is typically capped with cartilage.
Usage
The term is used in medical contexts to describe a specific type of non-cancerous bone tumor or overgrowth. It often refers to a condition rather than a single event. * The X-ray revealed a small exostosis on the femur. * Hereditary multiple exostoses is a genetic disorder characterized by multiple bony growths.
Examples
- The surgeon removed the painful exostosis from the patient's heel bone.
- An exostosis in the ear canal, known as surfer's ear, can be caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.
Advanced Usage
- Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME): A specific medical condition where multiple exostoses form on bones throughout the body.
- Subungual Exostosis: A bony outgrowth that occurs under the toenail or fingernail.
Variants and Related Words
- Exostoses (plural): The plural form of exostosis.
- Osteochondroma: A specific, common type of exostosis where the bony growth is capped with cartilage. The terms are often used interchangeably in medicine.
Synonyms
- Bone spur (though a "spur" is often a different, smaller type of bony projection)
- Osteoma (a benign bone tumor, but not necessarily cartilage-capped)
- Bony outgrowth
- Bony protuberance
Antonyms
- Bone resorption
- Osteolysis (the breakdown or dissolution of bone tissue)
Noun
-
a benign outgrowth from a bone (usually covered with cartilage)
