Definition

Noun: A neurinoma is a type of tumor, typically non-cancerous (benign), that develops from the protective sheath (called the Schwann cell sheath) surrounding a nerve.

Usage

The word neurinoma is a medical term used specifically in neurology and pathology. It describes a distinct class of nerve sheath tumor. * A doctor might say, "The MRI shows a small neurinoma on the acoustic nerve." * In a medical report: "Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a benign neurinoma."

Examples

• The patient's hearing loss was caused by a neurinoma pressing on the auditory nerve.
• Surgical removal of the neurinoma was successful and relieved the symptoms.
• While most neurinomas are benign, they can still cause significant problems due to their location.

Advanced Usage

• Vestibular schwannoma (also known as an acoustic neuroma) is the most common specific type of neurinoma, affecting the nerve responsible for balance and hearing.
• The term is often used interchangeably with schwannoma in modern medical literature, as both originate from Schwann cells.

Variants and Related Words

• Schwannoma: The more precise contemporary synonym for neurinoma.
• Neurofibroma: A related but distinct type of benign nerve sheath tumor.
• Neoplasm: A general term for any new and abnormal growth of tissue (a tumor).

Synonyms

• Schwannoma
• Benign nerve sheath tumor
• Acoustic neuroma (for the specific type affecting the vestibulocochlear nerve)

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of neurinoma is a benign tumor of the nerve sheath. It is important to distinguish it from malignant (cancerous) nerve tumors, which have different names and implications.

Noun

1. tumor (usually benign) of the sheath surrounding a nerve