Granuloma
Pronunciation: gran-yoo-LOH-muh
A structured aggregate of activated macrophages (epithelioid cells), often with multinucleated giant cells, forming in response to a persistent stimulus in the dermis or deeper tissues.
Full Definition
A granuloma represents a chronic inflammatory response in which macrophages cluster and differentiate into epithelioid cells, sometimes fusing to form multinucleated giant cells. In dermatology, granulomas occur in conditions such as sarcoidosis, granuloma annulare, foreign body reactions, and infections such as leishmaniasis. Histopathology reports describe granulomas as 'sarcoidal', 'palisading', 'suppurative', or 'foreign body type'—descriptors that editors must reproduce exactly. The singular is 'granuloma'; the plural is 'granulomata' (classical) or 'granulomas' (accepted modern usage); editorial house style should be consistent.
Usage
Usage note: Both 'granulomas' and 'granulomata' are acceptable plurals; choose one and apply consistently. Qualify the type (e.g., sarcoidal, palisading) where given in source material.
In Context
- "Histological examination revealed non-caseating sarcoidal granulomas throughout the mid-dermis." — Histopathology report
- "Editors should check whether the house style prefers 'granulomas' or 'granulomata' and apply it uniformly." — Style guide note