Glomus

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Glomus is a term used in biology and medicine to refer to a structure composed of compact tissue. It can refer to several different structures in the human body, including the glomus body, glomus tympanicum, and glomus jugulare.

Glomus Body[edit | edit source]

The glomus body is a type of arteriovenous anastomosis, or direct connection between an artery and a vein, found in the skin and mucosa of the human body. These structures are particularly concentrated in the fingers and toes, where they play a crucial role in thermoregulation by shunting blood away from the skin surface in cold conditions to minimize heat loss.

Glomus Tympanicum[edit | edit source]

The glomus tympanicum is a small, noncancerous tumor that forms in the middle ear, right below the ear drum. This tumor is a type of paraganglioma, which are rare tumors that grow in cells of the paraganglia, a system of tiny clusters of cells scattered throughout the body.

Glomus Jugulare[edit | edit source]

A glomus jugulare tumor is a tumor of the part of the temporal bone in the skull that involves the ear and the jugular vein. The tumor develops in the jugular foramen, which is also the place where the nerves that control swallowing and speech pass through.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Glomus Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD