pheochromocytoma

[ fee-oh-kroh-moh-sahy-toh-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural phe·o·chro·mo·cy·to·mas, phe·o·chro·mo·cy·to·ma·ta [fee-oh-kroh-moh-sahy-, toh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. a tumor of the sympathetic nervous system or adrenal medulla, that produces excess norepinephrine and epinephrine and causes hypertension, headaches, nausea, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheochromocytoma¹

1925–30; pheochromocyte a chromaffin cell of the adrenal medulla ( pheochrome chromaffin (< Greek phai ( ós ) dusky + -o- + -chrome ) + -o- + -cyte ) + -oma; compare German Phäochromocytom (1912)