tophus

[ toh-fuhs ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural to·phi [toh, -fahy].

1. a calcareous concretion formed in the soft tissue about a joint, in the pinna of the ear, etc., especially in gout; a gouty deposit.

tophus

/ ˈtəʊfəs; təʊˈfeɪʃəs /

noun

1. pathol a deposit of sodium urate in the helix of the ear or surrounding a joint: a diagnostic of advanced or chronic gout Also calledchalkstone

Derived Forms

• tophaceous, adjective

Other Words From

• to·pha·ceous [t, uh, -, fey, -sh, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tophus¹

1545–55; < Latin tōphus, tōfus tufa

Word History and Origins

Origin of tophus¹

C16: from Latin, variant of tōfus tufa , tuff

Example Sentences

This flux is composed of equal portions of iron slag, white tophus, and salt.

From Project Gutenberg

If gout is untreated and the disease becomes advanced, deposits of urate crystals may form into nodules called tophi beneath the skin.

From New York Times

Within six months of starting the treatments, the tophi on White's hands and legs had melted away, and she was able to resume a normal life.

From Washington Post

In clinical trials the drug worked for about 40 percent of patients, in some cases bringing marked improvement in dissolving unsightly and disabling lumps, called tophi.

From New York Times

It is dissolved into ochre, and regenerated into tophus.

From Project Gutenberg