teratoma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “teratoma” mean?
A type of tumour, often benign, composed of various tissues not normally found at the site where it grows.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of tumour, often benign, composed of various tissues not normally found at the site where it grows.
A neoplasm (growth) containing multiple tissue types derived from multiple germ layers (e.g., hair, teeth, muscle, bone). In metaphorical usage, it can describe a complex, chaotic mixture of disparate elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The plural in both is typically 'teratomas' or, less commonly, 'teratomata'.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes a specific, complex pathological entity.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined entirely to medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “teratoma” in a Sentence
The teratoma contained [teeth and hair].A teratoma was found in the [ovary/testis/mediastinum].Surgeons removed the [benign/malignant] teratoma.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “teratoma” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The teratomatous nature of the growth was confirmed.
- Teratomatous elements were visible.
American English
- The teratomatous lesion required excision.
- Teratomatous tissues were identified.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and pathological research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in oncology, pathology, surgery, and radiology reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “teratoma”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “teratoma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “teratoma”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈterətoʊmə/ (stress on first syllable is incorrect).
- Misspelling: 'terratoma', 'terotoma'.
- Using it to refer to any tumour, rather than specifically a germ cell tumour with multiple tissue types.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Teratomas can be benign (mature) or malignant (immature). Mature cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts) are common and typically benign.
They most commonly occur in the ovaries and testes, but can also be found in the sacrococcygeal area (tailbone), mediastinum, and other midline body sites.
Yes. Because they are derived from pluripotent germ cells, mature teratomas can contain well-differentiated tissues like hair, teeth, bone, and even rudimentary organs.
Extremely rarely. It might be used metaphorically in literary criticism or cultural analysis to describe a chaotic amalgamation of disparate ideas or styles.
A type of tumour, often benign, composed of various tissues not normally found at the site where it grows.
Teratoma is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Teratoma: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɛrəˈtəʊmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɛrəˈtoʊmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TERAT' (from Greek 'teras' meaning monster) + 'OMA' (tumour). A 'monster tumour' because it contains monstrously misplaced tissues.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHAOTIC/UNORGANISED MIXTURE IS A TERATOMA. (e.g., 'His novel is a literary teratoma, with genres clumsily grafted together.')
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a teratoma?