(noj′ool″)

[L. nodulus, little knot]

1. A small node.
2. A small cluster of cells.

aggregate nodules

A group of unencapsulated lymph nodules, such as Peyer patches of the small intestine.

Albini nodules

SEE: Albini nodules

apple jelly nodule

The jelly-like lesion of lupus vulgaris.

Arantius nodule

SEE: Arantius, Julius Caesar

Aschoff nodules

SEE: Aschoff nodules

Bracht-Wachter nodules

SEE: Bracht-Wachter bodies.

cortical nodules

Lymph nodules located in the cortex of a lymph node.

laryngeal nodule

SEE: Singer's node.

lymph nodule

A mass of compact, densely staining lymphocytes forming the structural unit of lymphatic tissue. These nodules may occur singly, in groups (as in Peyer patches), or in encapsulated organs such as lymph nodes. Each contains a lighter-staining germinal center where new lymphocytes are formed.
SYN: SEE: lymphoid nodule

lymphoid nodule

SEE: Lymph nodule

miliary nodule

A small round density, 1 to 5 mm in diameter, as seen on the chest radiograph, e.g., in disseminated tuberculosis.

milker's nodules

A painless smooth or warty lesion due to a poxvirus that is transmitted from the udders of infected cows to the hands of milkers.
SEE: paravaccinia

rheumatic nodules

A subcutaneous node of fibrous tissue that may be present in patients with rheumatic fever.
SEE: subcutaneous nodule for illus.

Schmorl nodule

SEE: Schmorl node.

nodule of the semilunar valve

An Arantius body.
SEE: Arantius, Julius Caesar

siderotic nodules

A small brown nodule seen in the spleen and other organs and consisting of necrotic tissue encrusted by iron salts.

solitary nodule

An isolated nodule of lymphatic tissue such as occurs in mucous membranes.

solitary pulmonary nodule

Any isolated mass lesion found in the lung, usually during an x-ray study performed for another reason. Most small masses that are identified in this way are benign, although smokers, patients already known to have cancer in another organ system, and older patients have an increased risk that a solitary nodule will be a new malignancy or a metastasis from another source.

PATIENT CARE
The first step in evaluating a solitary lung nodule is to search for prior chest x-ray films. If the nodule can be found on films done many months or years earlier and has not changed in size, shape, or calcification, it is likely to be benign and can be followed conservatively. Newly identified lesions within the lung that were not previously present usually are evaluated with further studies, such as computed tomography of the lungs, sputum studies, or biopsies.

subcutaneous nodules

A small, nontender swelling resembling Aschoff bodies and found over bony prominences in persons with rheumatic fever or rheumatoid arthritis (in rheumatoid arthritis, it is called a rheumatoid nodule).

surfer's nodules

Nodular swelling and possible bone changes of the area of the lower leg and foot exposed to pressure and trauma while on a surfboard. The nodules may be painful.
SYN: SEE: surfer's knots

thyroid nodule

A visible or palpable mass in the thyroid gland, benign about 90% to 95% of the time. A history of radiation to the head or neck increases the likelihood that the lesion will be malignant, as does the appearance of the nodule in the first decades of life. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the first and often the definitive diagnostic test.

PATIENT CARE
Patients can be reassured that more than 99% of benign thyroid nodules remain benign after 5 years of follow-up.

typhoid nodules

A nodule characteristic of typhoid fever and found in the liver.

typhus nodules

A small nodule of the skin seen in typhus. They are composed of mononuclear cell infiltration around vessels.