enchondroma

9.9

A noncancerous growth of cartilage at the end of a long bone, often in a finger or toe

noun
/ˌɛnˈkɒndroʊmə/

Specialized

: enchondroma

The surgeon explained that the enchondroma in her finger was benign and could be removed safely.

Examples

Radiographs showed an enchondroma at the end of the patient's metacarpal bone.
He has multiple enchondromas in his fingers.
Although an enchondroma is noncancerous, it requires monitoring to ensure it does not become problematic.
The doctor diagnosed her with an enchondroma.
Radiographs showed an enchondroma at the end of the patient's metacarpal bone.
The surgeon explained that the enchondroma in her finger was benign and could be removed safely.
Although an enchondroma is noncancerous, it requires monitoring to ensure it does not become problematic.

Synonyms

chondroma

vsenchondroma

Specialized

1 9.9

A growth of cartilage in a bone that is not cancer

is in the ends of long bones of hands or feet and grows slowly

Surface Forms

enchondroma singular

enchondromas plural

Morphology

enchondroma = en + chondr + oma

Although analyzable into medical combining forms (en- + chondr- + -oma), these are specialized Greek-based morphemes not productive in general English, so a typical B1 learner cannot derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Enchondroma breaks into three parts: en- meaning 'in', chondr- meaning 'cartilage', and -oma meaning 'tumor'. So an enchondroma is literally a 'tumor in cartilage', which fits its meaning as a slow-growing, noncancerous cartilage growth often found at the ends of small bones in the hands or feet.