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Glite Dictionary
galactocele

galactocele

9.9
A small milk-filled lump in the breast caused by a blocked milk tube
  • noun
  • /ɡəˈlæktəˌsiːl/
  • Specialized
: galactocelo
  • A galactocele may develop during breastfeeding if a duct becomes blocked.

Examples

  • A galactocele is a type of cyst that forms in the breast, typically containing milk due to a blocked duct.

  • The ultrasound revealed a galactocele in the patient's right breast.

  • After aspiration, the contents of the galactocele were found to be milky.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with a galactocele.

  • Many women experience a galactocele during breastfeeding.

  • During her check-up, the doctor explained that the galactocele was causing her breast swelling.

  • After feeding, she noticed a galactocele forming, which the nurse assured her was common among nursing mothers.

Surface Forms

galactocele singular
galactoceles plural

Morphology

galactocele = galacto + cele

The term is built from technical combining forms (galacto- 'milk' and -cele 'swelling') that are not productive or familiar to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from its parts.

Etymology

The word galactocele comes from Greek parts galacto- meaning 'milk' and -cele meaning 'swelling' or 'cyst'. So a galactocele is literally a 'milk swelling', a milk-filled cyst in the breast.