Nodule (medicine)
Nodule (medicine)
A nodule in medicine is a growth of abnormal tissue. Nodules can develop just below the skin. They can also develop in deeper skin tissues or internal organs.
Definition[edit | edit source]
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a nodule as a small knot, protuberance, or swelling. In medicine, a nodule is a solid, spherical, abnormal growth, or lump, of tissue that is present in or on the body. It is less than 2 cm (0.8 inches) in size. If the lesion is larger than 2 cm, it is referred to as a tumor.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Nodules can be caused by a variety of conditions, including infections, inflammation, tumors or neoplasms. The type of cells involved can also differ, ranging from epithelial cells to fat cells.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of a nodule depends on the location of the nodule. For example, a nodule on the skin or under the skin can often be diagnosed by physical examination. However, a nodule in an internal organ usually requires imaging tests for diagnosis.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment of a nodule depends on the cause. Some nodules will resolve spontaneously and require no treatment. Others may require surgical removal or medical treatment.
See also[edit | edit source]
Nodule (medicine) Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD