What does haematoma mean?
A haematoma is a localized collection of blood that has leaked from a blood vessel into surrounding tissue, often after trauma, surgery, or the rupture of a vessel. The resulting mass may be soft or firm, painful, and discoloured, and is often informally called a bruise. A haematoma specifically refers to the pooled blood rather than merely the visible discoloration of a bruise. Small haematomas beneath the skin generally resolve as the body breaks down and reabsorbs the blood, whereas those in the brain, such as subdural or intracerebral haematomas, require urgent medical assessment because bleeding can damage nearby tissue. In British English the usual spelling is haematoma; in American English it is hematoma. The term belongs mainly to medical contexts, where it distinguishes a contained collection of blood from both simple bruising and active haemorrhage.
nounA localized swelling containing a pool of blood that has escaped from a blood vessel, typically caused by trauma or the rupture of a vessel.
- A localized collection of extravasated blood in an organ or tissue, typically producing a swelling following trauma, surgery, or vascular rupture.
"The scan revealed a small haematoma where the rugby ball had struck her shoulder."
"The scan revealed a small haematoma where the rugby ball had struck her shoulder."
"A CT scan showed an intracranial haematoma, so she was admitted to hospital immediately."
“Haematomas” is standard in contemporary English. The plural “haematomata” is also used in medical writing.
"The scan detected two small haematomas in the injured muscle."
A bruise is what you can see; a haematoma is the pool of blood hiding underneath.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haematoma come from?
The word was formed in medical Latin from Greek haima, meaning “blood,” and the Greek-derived suffix -oma, meaning a swelling or tumour. The compound entered English medical usage during the 19th century. Related English words including haematology, haemorrhage, and haemophilia reflect the same Greek element for “blood,” although they were developed through different derivational paths.
Related word forms
How haematoma is actually used
Chiefly a clinical and medical term. It is more specific than “bruise,” which can refer to discoloration caused by bleeding into the skin, whereas a haematoma identifies the collected blood itself.
Easily confused with haematoma
A haematoma is a localized collection of blood outside a vessel, whereas a haemorrhage is bleeding from a damaged blood vessel.