What does hematoma mean?
A hematoma is a localized collection of blood that has escaped from a vessel into surrounding tissue, often forming a firm, painful swelling after injury or surgery. The term belongs to medicine: in everyday English, a hematoma may be described as a deep or substantial bruise, although not every bruise is medically classified as a hematoma. Hematomas can occur in many parts of the body, including beneath the skin, in the brain, or within the abdomen, and their significance depends on location, size, and cause. The word is useful because it identifies a specific physical finding rather than merely describing discoloration or generalized swelling. It also illustrates how medical vocabulary develops from Greek roots: the name conveys a blood-related swelling, not a cancerous tumor. Although “hematoma” may sound alarming, many small hematomas are harmless and resolve as the body reabsorbs the blood.
nounA localized swelling containing pooled blood, usually clotted, that has escaped from a blood vessel into surrounding tissue.
- A localized collection of extravasated blood, usually clotted, forming a swelling in tissue, an organ, or a body cavity.
"The scan revealed a small hematoma near her ankle."
"The scan revealed a small hematoma near her ankle."
"She developed a painful hematoma after the fall."
The standard plural adds -s; hematomata is also encountered in medical writing but is less common.
"The scan identified two hematomas beneath the skin."
A hematoma is essentially a deep bruise with a medical name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hematoma come from?
Hematoma comes through New Latin from Greek haima, meaning “blood,” and the suffix -ōma, indicating a swelling or mass. Its components reflect the word’s original sense of a blood-filled swelling rather than a neoplasm. Words such as hemorrhage, hemophilia, hematology, and anemia share the same Greek root for blood.
Related word forms
How hematoma is actually used
This is primarily a medical term. In everyday English, it may be used informally to mean a deep or pronounced bruise, but the terms are not fully interchangeable in clinical usage.
Easily confused with hematoma
A hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside a vessel, whereas a hemorrhage is bleeding from a damaged vessel.