Lipomyoma is a medical term that refers to a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. The word lipomyoma is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /lɪpəʊmaɪˈəʊmə/. The "lip-" in the beginning of the word represents the prefix referring to fat or lipids, while "myo-" refers to muscle tissue, and "-oma" means a tumor or mass. The phonetic transcription is useful in understanding the correct pronunciation of the word, which can be helpful in proper communication between healthcare professionals and patients.
A lipomyoma is a benign tumor characterized by the abnormal growth and accumulation of fat cells within the connective tissues. It is commonly referred to as a fatty tumor or lipoma. Lipomyomas can develop in various parts of the body, most commonly observed in areas such as the arms, trunk, neck, and thighs.
Typically painless, lipomyomas are often small in size and appear as soft, round, or oval-shaped lumps under the skin. These tumors are formed due to the overgrowth of adipose (fat) cells within the fibrous tissue layers, resulting in a distinct mass that can be felt upon palpation.
Lipomyomas are non-cancerous and benign in nature, causing no harm to surrounding tissues or organs. They are generally harmless and rarely progress into malignant forms. While the exact causes of these growths remain unknown, genetic factors, metabolic disorders, or trauma to the affected area have been proposed as potential contributing factors.
Diagnosis of lipomyoma usually involves a physical examination and imaging techniques such as ultrasound or MRI scans to determine the size, location, and composition of the tumor. Treatment is typically unnecessary unless the lipomyoma causes pain, discomfort, or affects the appearance of the affected area. In such cases, surgical removal is often recommended, which involves excising the tumor and surrounding tissue to eliminate the growth. Overall, lipomyomas are considered harmless tumors that require minimal medical intervention unless they become symptomatic.
Leucomyoma, a tumor composed of unstriated muscle fibers containing interspersed fatglobules.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "lipomyoma" is derived from two Greek roots: "lipo" meaning "fat" and "myoma" meaning "tumor".
The word "lipo" comes from the Greek word "lipos" meaning "fat" and is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a relation to fat or fatty tissue.
The term "myoma" stems from the Greek word "mys" meaning "muscle" and is often used to denote tumors or abnormal growths arising from muscle tissue. In the case of "lipomyoma", it refers to a benign tumor originating from fatty tissue.