Exostosis
Encyclopedia
An exostosis is the formation of new bone
on the surface of a bone. Exostoses can cause chronic pain ranging from mild to debilitatingly severe, depending on where they are located and what shape they are.
When used in the phrases "Cartilaginous exostosis" or "Osteocartilaginous exostosis", it is considered synonymous with Osteochondroma
. Some sources consider the terms to mean the same thing even without qualifiers, but this interpretation is not universal.
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
on the surface of a bone. Exostoses can cause chronic pain ranging from mild to debilitatingly severe, depending on where they are located and what shape they are.
When used in the phrases "Cartilaginous exostosis" or "Osteocartilaginous exostosis", it is considered synonymous with Osteochondroma
Osteochondroma
Osteochondroma is a type of benign tumor that consists of cartilage and bone. It is a benign capped-cartilage outgrowth, connected to bone by a stalk.It is the most frequently observed neoplasm of the skeleton....
. Some sources consider the terms to mean the same thing even without qualifiers, but this interpretation is not universal.
Fossil record
Evidence for exostosis found in the fossil record is studied by paleopathologists, specialists in ancient disease and injury. Exostosis has been reported in dinosaur fossils from several species, including Acrocanthosaurus atokensis, Albertosaurus sarcophagus, Allosaurus fragilis, Gorgosaurus libratus, and Poekilopleuron bucklandii.Related conditions
- Surfer's earSurfer's EarSurfer's ear is the common name for an exostosis or abnormal bone growth within the ear canal. Surfer's ear is not the same as swimmer's ear, although infection can result as a side effect....
(Exostosis of the ear canal) - Hereditary multiple exostosesHereditary multiple exostosesHereditary multiple exostoses is a rare medical condition in which multiple bony spurs or lumps develop on the bones of a child...
(HME) - Subungual exostosis
- Buccal exostosisBuccal exostosisA buccal exostosis is the formation of an exostosis on the outer, cheek-facing side of the maxilla just above the teeth or the cheek-facing side of the mandible. Formation on the lower jaw occurs much less commonly than on the upper jaw. They are painless, but may contribute to periodontal...
External links
- The Ear and Balance Center, The Sonos Group
- MHE Research Foundation (Multiple Hereditary Exostoses)
- Surfer's Ear Explanation, Dr. Shohet (equates "Exostosis" with "osteochondroma")]