Protuberance Health Dictionary

  1. Health Encyclopedia
  2. Protuberance

Protuberance: From 1 Different Sources

Epicondyle

The protuberance above a CONDYLE at the end of a bone with an articulating joint – for example, at the bottom of the humerus, the bone of the upper arm.... epicondyle

Femur

The medical name for the thighbone, the longest bone in the body. The lower end hinges with the tibia (shin) to form the knee joint. The upper end is rounded into a ball (head of the femur) that fits into a socket in the pelvis to form the hip joint. The head of the femur is joined to the bone shaft by a narrow piece of bone called the neck of the femur, which is a common fracture site (see femur, fracture of).

At the lower end, the bone is enlarged to form 2 lumps (the condyles) that distribute the weight-bearing load through the knee joint. On the outer side of the upper femur is a protuberance called the greater trochanter. The shaft of the femur is surrounded by muscles which move the hip and knee joints.... femur

Skull

This is the collection of 22 ?at and irregularly shaped bones which protect the brain and form the face (see BONE).

Arrangement of the bones In childhood, the bones are independent, gradually fusing together by sutures, and in old age fusing completely so that the cranium forms a solid bony case. At the time of birth the growth of several bones of the infant’s head has not been quite completed, so that six soft spots, or fontanellas, present; here the brain is covered only by skin and membranes, and the pulsations of its blood vessels may be seen. One of these spots, the anterior fontanelle, does not close completely until the child is 18 months to 2••• years old.

Parts of the skull The cranium, enclosing the brain, consists of eight bones, while the face, which forms a bony framework for the eyes, nose and mouth, consists of 14 bones. These two parts can be detached.

Shape of the skull The development of large central hemispheres of the brain in humans has in?uenced the skull shape. Unlike in other mammals, the cranium extends above as well as behind the face which therefore looks forwards. The skull’s proportions change with age: the cranium in children is larger in comparison with the face – one-eighth of the whole head – than is the case in adults, where sizes are about the same. Old age reduces the size of the face because of the loss of teeth and absorption of their bony sockets. Women’s skulls tend to be lighter and smoother with less obvious protuberances than those in men.... skull

Ulcer

Destruction of the skin’s surface tissues resulting in an open sore. A similar breach may occur in the surface of the mucous membrane lining body cavities – for example, the stomach, duodenum or colon (see COLITIS). Usually accompanied by pain and local in?ammation, ulcers can be shallow or deep, with a crater-like shape. An ulcer may heal naturally, but on certain parts of the body – legs (venous ulcers, see below) or bony protuberances (decubitus ulcers, see below) – they can become chronic and di?cult to treat. When an ulcer heals, granulations (well-vascularised connective tissue) form which become ?brous and draw the edges of the ulcer together. Any damage to the body surface may develop into an ulcer if the causative agent is allowed to persist – for example, contact with a noxious substance or constant pressure on an area of tissue with poor circulation. Treatment of skin ulcers is e?ected by cleaning the area, regular dry dressings and local or systemic ANTIBIOTICS depending upon the severity of the ulcer.

Decubitus ulcer Also known as pressure or bed sore. Occurs when there is constant pressure on and inadequate oxygenation of an area of skin, usually overlying a bony protuberance. Elderly or in?rm people, or individuals with debilitating, emaciating or neurological illnesses, are vulnerable to the condition. Long-term pressure from a bed, wheelchair, cast or splint is the usual cause. Loss of skin sensation is a contributory factor, and muscle and bone as well as skin may be affected.

Treatment The most important treatment is prevention, keeping the patient’s back, buttocks, heels and other pressure-points clean and dry, and regularly changing his or her position. If ulcers do develop, repeated local DEBRIDEMENT, protective dressings and (in serious cases) surgical treatment are required, accompanied by an appropriate antibiotic if infection is persistent.

Venous ulcer This occurs on the lower leg or ankle and is caused by chronic HYPERTENSION in the deep leg VEINS, usually the consequences of previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – see THROMBOSIS; VEINS, DISEASES OF – which has destroyed the valvular system in the vein(s). The ulcer is usually preceded by chronic OEDEMA, often local eczema (see DERMATITIS), and bleeding into the skin that produces brown staining. Varicose veins may or may not be present. Control of the oedema by compression and encouragement to walk is central to management.... ulcer

Alveoloplasty

Dental surgery to remove protuberances and smooth out uneven areas from tooth-bearing bone in the jaw before the fitting of dentures.... alveoloplasty

Animal Experimentation

The use of animals in research to provide information about animal biology or, by inference, human physiology or behaviour. Animal research has contributed to the development of drugs, such as vaccines, and surgical techniques, such as transplant surgery. However, because of ethical concerns, alternative practices, such as cell cultures, are now used wherever possible.

animals, diseases from See zoonosis. anisometropia Unequal focusing power in the 2 eyes, usually due to a difference in size and/or shape of the eyes, that causes visual discomfort. For example, one eye may be normal and the other affected by myopia (shortsightedness), hypermetropia (longsightedness), or astigmatism (uneven curvature of the cornea). Glasses or contact lenses correct the problem in most cases. ankle joint The hinge joint between the foot and the leg. The talus (uppermost bone in the foot) fits between the 2 bony protuberances formed by the lower ends of the tibia (the shinbone) and the fibula (the outer bone of the lower leg). Strong ligaments on either side of the ankle joint give it support. The ankle allows for up-anddown movement of the foot.

An ankle sprain is one of the most

common injuries.

It is usually caused by twisting the foot over on to its outside edge, causing overstretching and bruising of the ligaments.

Violent twisting of the ankle can cause a combined fracture and dislocation known as Pott’s fracture.... animal experimentation

Uvula

The small, fleshy protuberance that hangs from the middle of the lower edge of the soft palate.... uvula

Apophysis

n. 1. a protuberance of bone to which a tendon is attached. It ossifies separately from the rest of the bone and fuses with it at maturity. 2. a projection of any other part, e.g. of the brain (apophysis cerebri: the *pineal gland).... apophysis

Cingulum

n. (pl. cingula) 1. a curved bundle of nerve fibres in each cerebral hemisphere, nearly encircling its connection with the corpus callosum. See cerebrum. 2. a small protuberance on the lingual surface of the crowns of incisor and canine teeth.... cingulum

Colliculus

n. (pl. colliculi) a small protuberance or swelling. Two pairs of colliculi, the superior and inferior colliculi, protrude from the roof of the midbrain (see tectum).... colliculus

Condyle

n. a rounded protuberance that occurs at the ends of some bones, e.g. the *occipital bone, and forms an articulation with another bone.... condyle

Crest

n. a ridge or linear protuberance, particularly on a bone. Examples include the crest of fibula and the iliac crest (of the ilium).... crest

Genion

n. (in *craniometry) the tip of the protuberance of the chin.... genion

Humerus

n. the bone of the upper arm (see illustration). The head of the humerus articulates with the *scapula at the shoulder joint. At the lower end of the shaft the trochlea articulates with the *ulna and part of the radius. The radius also articulates with a rounded protuberance (the capitulum) close to the trochlea. Depressions (fossae) at the front and back of the humerus accommodate the ulna and radius, respectively, when the arm is flexed or straightened.... humerus

Malleolus

n. either of the two protuberances on each side of the ankle: the lateral malleolus at the lower end of the *fibula or the medial malleolus at the lower end of the *tibia.... malleolus

Nipple

(mamilla, papilla) n. the protuberance at the centre of the *breast. In females the milk ducts open at the nipple.... nipple

Osteochondroma

a bony protuberance covered by a cap of cartilage arising usually from the end of a long bone, most commonly around the knee or shoulder. It is due to overgrowth of cartilage at the edge of the *physis (growth plate) of growing bones. The protuberance may be flattened (sessile) or stalklike (see exostosis) and usually appears before the age of 30, with patients complaining of either pain or a lump. There is a small incidence (1–2% in solitary lesions, higher if multiple) of malignant transformation of the cartilage cap into a *chondrosarcoma. If the lump causes symptoms or continues to grow in an adult, it should be excised.... osteochondroma

Papilla

n. (pl. papillae) any small nipple-shaped protuberance. Several different kinds of papillae occur on the *tongue, in association with the taste buds. The optic papilla is an alternative name for the *optic disc.... papilla

Process

n. 1. (in anatomy) a thin prominence or protuberance; for example, any of the processes of a vertebra. 2. the steps by which a decision is reached or an outcome attained. Although good medical practice is largely recognized by its good outcomes, the process by which these outcomes were reached is also seen as important in assessing the standard of care.... process

Ridge

n. 1. (in anatomy) a crest or a long narrow protuberance, e.g. on a bone. 2. (in dental anatomy) the crest of the jawbone following tooth loss. See alveolus.... ridge

Trochanter

n. either of the two protuberances that occur below the neck of the *femur.... trochanter

Tubercle

n. 1. (in anatomy) a small rounded protuberance on a bone. 2. the specific nodular lesion of *tuberculosis.... tubercle

Tuberosity

n. a large rounded protuberance on a bone. For example, there is a tuberosity at the upper end of the tibia.... tuberosity

Health encyclopedia icon Health Encyclopedia

Recent Searches