Tophus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A chalky deposit of uric acid crystals that accumulates in the tissues of people with chronic gout, typically forming nodules on the ears, fingers, or other joints
2. A hard nodule composed of crystallized uric acid that develops in gout sufferers as monosodium urate builds up in soft tissues over time
3. A stony accumulation of uric acid salts that forms in the body during severe or long-standing gout, appearing as a solid growth near affected joints

Etymology: A tophus is a deposit of urate crystals that forms in the tissue around joints and under the skin, most often in people with long-standing gout. The name comes from Latin "tophus," meaning "stone," which is a fitting description of a hard, chalky lump that can be felt beneath the skin. The Latin word itself is linked to the older sense of porous, soft rock, the kind that builds up in layers. The lump is named for the stone-like texture it takes on as crystals accumulate over time. Its physical form makes the name transparent: a tophus is essentially a small mineral deposit inside the body, and the Latin word was applied to it as a direct description rather than a metaphor.

Synonyms: tophi