Ferruginous body

Ferruginous bodies (pronunciation: fe-ru-gi-nous bo-dies) are microscopic, iron-containing structures often found in the lungs. They are typically associated with exposure to certain types of dust, particularly asbestos.

Etymology

The term "ferruginous" is derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning iron, and the suffix "-ous," which means full of. Thus, "ferruginous" refers to something containing or resembling iron. The term "body" in this context refers to a distinct structure within a cell or tissue.

Definition

A ferruginous body is a microscopic structure that appears as a golden-brown, rod-like inclusion within a cell, often with a beaded or segmented appearance. These bodies are typically found in the lungs and are associated with exposure to certain types of dust, particularly asbestos. They are composed of an asbestos fiber coated with an iron-rich material, hence the name "ferruginous."

Related Terms

Asbestos: A group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. When tiny asbestos particles float in the air, they can be inhaled into the lungs and can cause health problems.

Pneumoconiosis: A general term for a class of interstitial lung diseases where inhalation of dust has caused interstitial fibrosis. Pneumoconiosis often occurs in workers in certain industries that involve dust exposure, such as coal mining, asbestos industry, and others.

Interstitial lung disease: A group of lung diseases affecting the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs). It includes a wide range of conditions.

Iron: A chemical element with the symbol Fe (from Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is by mass the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Ferruginous body
Wikipedia's article - Ferruginous body

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Ferruginous body