Definition

1. Noun:
   • A localized swelling filled with blood: A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of blood vessels, typically caused by an injury or trauma, which results in a visible, often painful, lump or bruise under the skin or within tissues.

Usage

• The word "hematoma" is a medical term used to describe a specific type of injury or complication. It is commonly used in healthcare settings (by doctors, nurses, in medical reports) and in general descriptions of injuries.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient developed a large hematoma at the site of the injection.
  • After the fall, a painful hematoma formed on his thigh.
  • The surgeon drained the hematoma to relieve the pressure.

Advanced Usage

• "Subdural hematoma": A serious condition where blood collects between the brain and its outermost covering.
  • The car accident resulted in a life-threatening subdural hematoma.
• "Epidural hematoma": A collection of blood between the skull and the brain's protective covering.
  • Emergency surgery was required for the epidural hematoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Hematomal (adj): Pertaining to or resembling a hematoma. (This form is rare in general use but can be found in technical medical literature).
• Haematoma (n): The British English spelling variant.

Synonyms

• Bruise: A more general, common-term for a minor hematoma under the skin (ecchymosis).
• Contusion: A medical synonym for a bruise, often used interchangeably with minor hematoma.
• Blood blister: A specific type of small hematoma where blood is trapped just beneath the skin's surface.

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym for "hematoma," as it describes a specific physical condition. Opposing concepts could be intact vasculature or uninjured tissue.

Notes

• A hematoma is distinct from simple bleeding or hemorrhage, as it implies the blood is confined and forms a localized mass.
• The size and location of a hematoma determine its severity and required treatment, ranging from minor (a bruise) to major (intracranial hematoma).

Noun

1. a localized swelling filled with blood