Unit 23 Vocabulary — Swellings and Growths

Noun (thing)
Abscess
a swollen area containing pus
If the abscess ruptures, and the infection seems to clear up in a couple of days, your body should heal on its own.
Noun (thing)
Acoustic neuroma
an abnormal growth in the ear
An acoustic neuroma can often affect balance and hearing.
Noun (thing)
Carbuncle
multiple boils on the skin
Because of its infectious nature, a carbuncle can spread quickly.
Noun (thing)
Cicatrix
the scar of a healed wound
Her legs had a large cicatrix on the side from a childhood operation.
Noun (thing)
Cytoid
a cell-like structure
It is easy to mistake a cytoid for a cell.
Noun (thing)
Cytoplasm
any material inside a cell
Mainly composed of water, salts, and proteins, cytoplasm is essential for the removal of waste material from a cell.
Noun (thing)
Duodenal ulcer
a sore in the first part of the small intestine
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can cause a duodenal ulcer.
Noun (thing)
Ganglion
an abnormal benign swelling on a tendon
Your GP can perform aspiration of the ganglion in your wrist.
Noun (thing)
Hernia
a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding tissue wall or muscle
Lifting heavy objects is the leading cause of getting a hernia.
Adjective
Lateral
moving toward or having to do with the side
The surgeon made a lateral incision along the length of the abdomen.
Prefix
Macro
large or long
He was scheduled for surgery after the discovery of a macro-growth.
Prefix
Micro
small or delicate
There were several micro-fractures in the collar bone.
Adjective
Neuroid
resembling a nerve or nerve tissue
The growth was neuroid in appearance.
Noun (thing)
Palate
the top of the mouth
He burned his palate while eating hot pizza.
Noun (thing)
Peptic ulcers
sores on the stomach lining
Peptic ulcers, while not serious, can be very painful.
Adjective
Proximal
closest to the torso
His proximal rib was broken in the skiing accident.
Noun (thing)
Renal calculi
kidney stones
The renal calculi didn’t respond to shock treatment so he had to wait until he passed them naturally.
Noun (thing)
Toxicity
the degree of being poisonous
The toxicity of the drug is only a problem in high doses.
Noun (thing)
Varicose veins
enlarged veins
Varicose veins are most common in elderly women.
Noun (thing)
Verrucas
contagious warts on the sole of the foot
Verrucas are highly contagious, so you should not walk barefoot in public areas if you have them.