| neuroschwannoma | <tumour> A benign, encapsulated neoplasm in which the fundamental component is structurally identical to a syncytium of Schwann cells; the neoplastic cells proliferate within the endoneurium, and the perineurium forms the capsule. The neoplasm may originate from a peripheral or sympathetic nerve, or from various cranial nerves, particularly the eighth nerve; when the nerve is small, it is usually found (if at all) in the capsule of the neoplasm; if the nerve is large, the neurilemoma may develop within the sheath of the nerve, the fibres of which may then spread over the surface of the capsule as the neoplasm enlarges. Microscopically, neurilemoma's are composed of combinations of two cell types, Antoni types A and B (see below), either of which may be predominant in various examples of neurilemoma's. See: neurofibroma. Synonym: neurilemoma, neuroschwannoma. Origin: Theodor Schwann + -oma (05 Mar 2000) |
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