Rhabdomyoma is a medical term that refers to a benign tumor made up of muscle tissue. The spelling of this word can be explained by its phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word begins with the consonant cluster /rh/, which is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative followed by a voiceless glottal fricative. The next syllable, /bdo/, contains the voiced bilabial stop /b/ and the voiced alveolar tap /d/. The final syllable, /ma/, ends with the unvoiced bilabial nasal /m/ and open vowel /a/.
Rhabdomyoma is a medical term used to describe a rare benign tumor that originates from striated muscle tissue, specifically skeletal or cardiac muscles. The name "rhabdomyoma" is derived from the Greek words "rhabdos," meaning rod or wand, "myo," referring to muscle, and "oma," indicating a tumor or mass.
Rhabdomyomas are most commonly found in the heart, particularly in the ventricles, although they can also occur in various skeletal muscles. They are usually solitary, although multiple tumors can be present in some cases. These tumors are composed of abnormal muscle cells that display a characteristic appearance under microscopic examination, with elongated or round cells arranged in a whorled or basketweave pattern.
Although rhabdomyomas are typically not cancerous, they can cause symptoms depending on their location and size. In the heart, they may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, or obstruction of blood flow. Skeletal muscle rhabdomyomas are often asymptomatic but can result in pain or limit muscle function if they grow larger.
Rhabdomyomas are usually diagnosed through imaging techniques such as echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment options vary based on symptoms and location, and can include surgical removal of the tumor or medications to manage associated symptoms. In some cases, rhabdomyomas may regress or disappear on their own without requiring intervention.
Overall, rhabdomyoma is a relatively rare type of benign tumor that arises from muscle tissue, and its diagnosis and management depend on its specific location and accompanying symptoms.
A tumor composed chiefly of striated muscular tissue.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "rhabdomyoma" is derived from Greek roots. "Rhabdo" comes from the Greek word "rhabdos", meaning "rod" or "strip". "Myo" is derived from "mys", which means "muscle". Lastly, "-oma" represents a tumor or mass. Combining these elements, "rhabdomyoma" refers to a tumor arising from muscle tissue.