Definition

Noun: 1. A small, usually benign, growth projecting from a mucous membrane: A polypus is a small, abnormal mass of tissue that bulges or projects outward from the lining (mucous membrane) of an organ, such as the nose, colon, or uterus. It is often attached by a stalk.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The doctor discovered a polypus during the colonoscopy.
  • Nasal polypuses can cause difficulty breathing and a reduced sense of smell.
  • The biopsy confirmed that the polypus was non-cancerous.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is primarily used in medical and pathological contexts to describe these specific growths. The plural forms are "polypi" (/'pɔlɪpaɪ/) or "polypuses."
• Distinction from 'Polyp': In modern medical terminology, "polyp" is the more commonly used term. "Polypus" is considered a more formal or traditional synonym.

Variants and Related Words

• Polyp (n): The standard, more frequently used term for a polypus.
  • Colorectal polyps are common findings in screening exams.
• Polypoid (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a polypus.
  • The scan showed a polypoid lesion in the nasal cavity.

Synonyms

• Growth: A general term for an abnormal mass of tissue.
• Neoplasm: A medical term for an abnormal new growth of tissue.
• Lesion: A broad term for any area of damaged or abnormal tissue.

Related Phrases

• Adenomatous polypus: A specific type of polypus with gland-like structure that has a higher potential to become cancerous.
• Hyperplastic polypus: A common type of polypus, usually benign and with very low cancer risk.

Notes on Meaning

The word "polypus" is largely synonymous with "polyp." Its usage has become less common in everyday medical language, with "polyp" being the preferred term. It specifically denotes a growth originating from a mucous membrane and is distinguished from other types of tumors or growths by its typical stalk-like attachment and location.

Noun

1. a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane