A lipoma primarily consists of adipose (fat) cells that are often enclosed within a thin layer of fibrous tissue. These benign tumors are commonly found just beneath the skin.
Understanding Lipoma Composition
Lipomas are non-cancerous growths that are very common. They are essentially masses of fat cells that have clumped together. Here's a detailed breakdown of their internal composition:
- Adipose Tissue: The main component of a lipoma is mature fat cells, known as adipocytes. These cells are the same type that make up normal body fat.
- Thin Fibrous Capsule: Often, these fat cells are contained within a thin, fibrous capsule of tissue. This capsule helps to define the shape and boundary of the lipoma.
- Blood Vessels: Lipomas do have a blood supply, but it's typically very small. The blood vessels nourish the fat cells.
Characteristics of Lipomas
Lipomas are often characterized by:
- Soft Feel: Due to their fat cell composition, they typically feel soft and doughy when touched.
- Slow Growth: They usually grow very slowly over time.
- Painless: Most of the time, they are not painful.
- Location: They usually develop just under the skin (subcutaneous) but can also grow in deeper tissues.
Reference
[1] Lipomas are defined as a common subcutaneous tumor composed of adipose (fat) cells, often encapsulated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue. In fact, these are the frequently encountered neoplasms by clinicians.
