teratoma

Term: teratoma

Literally meaning: “unusual condition, monstrous tumor”

Origin: Anc Greek

τέρας/teras (=unusual occurrence or phenomenon, monster)

+-ωμα/oma(=complete set of, or a condition)

Coined/History

in 1863, by German physician Rudolf Virchow (1821-1905) written in his 3 volume compendium "Diekrankhaften. Geschwülste" in order to describe a malformed tumor.  

Definition

Teratoma is a benign (mature) or malignant (immature) tumor commonly composed of multiple cell types derived from one or more of the three germ layers. Sometimes a teratoma contains mature elements such as teeth, hair or bone.