gumma

American  

[guhm-uh] / ˈgʌm ə /

noun

Pathology.

plural

gummas, gummata

1. a rubbery, tumorlike lesion associated with tertiary syphilis.

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gumma British  

/ ˈɡʌmə /

noun

1. pathol a rubbery tumour characteristic of advanced syphilis, occurring esp on the skin, liver, brain or heart

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Other Word Forms

• gummatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of gumma

From New Latin, dating back to 1715–25; see origin at gum ¹

Example Sentences

The inflammatory lesions at the ends of the long bones—tubercle, syphilitic gumma, and Brodie's abscess, that resemble myeloma, are all attended with the formation of new bone in greater or lesser amount.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

The syphilitic process at the edge of the gumma shuts off the blood supply and the tissue dies, as a finger would if a tight band were wound around it, cutting off the blood supply.

From The Third Great Plague A Discussion of Syphilis for Everyday People by Stokes, John H. (John Hinchman)

The contraction which follows the disappearance of a gumma of the sterno-mastoid may also produce a deformity resembling wry-neck.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

The shoddy tissue is called "gummatous infiltration," and the tumor, if one is formed, is called a "gumma."

From The Third Great Plague A Discussion of Syphilis for Everyday People by Stokes, John H. (John Hinchman)

An unbroken gumma is liable to be confused only with the uncommon form of epithelioma which begins as a nodule under the mucous membrane.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander