Clinical Diagnosis · Sensory System · Hard
Cholesteatoma
Meaning: An abnormal growth of skin cells in the middle ear that can erode nearby bones and cause hearing loss.
In practice: Foul-smelling ear discharge and a retraction pocket raised concern for cholesteatoma.
Word parts
- chole- means bile
- -oma means a lump, mass or tumour
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: A deficiency of oxygen reaching the body's tissues.
Answer: Hypoxia
Which word means: Analgesic and antipyretic with weak anti-inflammatory action and an incompletely understood mechanism.
Answer: Paracetamol
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