neuroma
Noun: A neuroma is a benign tumor or abnormal growth that develops from nerve tissue. Specifically, it is derived from cells of the nervous system, such as nerve cells (neurons) or the cells that support them.
A neuroma is a type of growth, not a cancerous (malignant) tumor. It is typically named based on its specific location or the type of nerve tissue involved. * The patient was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the nerve connecting the ear to the brain. * Pain in the ball of the foot can sometimes be caused by a Morton's neuroma. * Surgical removal is an option for a symptomatic neuroma causing significant discomfort.
- Clinical Context: The term is primarily used in medical, neurological, and pathological contexts. It is often preceded by a modifier specifying the location (e.g., , ).
- Pathology: In pathology, a neuroma refers to a disorganized, non-cancerous overgrowth of nerve fibers and connective tissue, often occurring after nerve injury (traumatic neuroma).
- Neurilemoma (noun): A type of benign tumor arising from the Schwann cells of a nerve sheath. An acoustic neuroma is more accurately a vestibular schwannoma or neurilemoma.
- Neurofibroma (noun): A benign nerve sheath tumor, often associated with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis.
- Neuromatosis (noun): A condition characterized by the presence of multiple neuromas.
- Nerve tumor
- Benign nerve sheath tumor (in specific contexts)
- Neurilemoma (for a specific, common type)
The core meaning is a non-cancerous growth from nerve tissue. It is crucial to distinguish it from malignant tumors of the nervous system, such as neuroblastoma or glioma. The word itself does not indicate size, cause, or specific symptoms; these are provided by the clinical context and modifying terms.
- any tumor derived from cells of the nervous system