tophus

2 definitions found

tophus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tophus \To"phus\, n.; pl. Tophi. [NL.: cf. F. tophus a mineral
     concretion in the joint. See Toph.] [Written also tofus.]
     1. (Med.) One of the mineral concretions about the joints,
        and in other situations, occurring chiefly in gouty
        persons. They consist usually of urate of sodium; when
        occurring in the internal organs they are also composed of
        phosphate of calcium.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Min.) Calcareous tufa.
        [1913 Webster]

tophus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  tophus
      n 1: a deposit of urates around a joint or in the external ear;
           diagnostic of advanced or chronic gout [syn: tophus,
           chalkstone]
      2: an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums [syn:
         tartar, calculus, tophus]