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Atheroma on the body
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
Atheroma is a retention, functional cyst that is formed as a result of the accumulation of secretory fluid in the gland duct or in the capsule of an organ capable of producing liquid secretion. Atheroma on the body can be congenital, more often such a neoplasm is diagnosed in newborns, also a sebaceous gland cyst can be secondary, it is detected in adult patients.
[ Symptoms
Atheroma can form on any part of the body where there are sebaceous glands, and they are located almost everywhere, with the exception of the palms and soles of the feet. Atheroma on the body is most often detected in areas covered with hair - the head, armpits, groin, shins. Also, a subcutaneous cyst often forms in the ear area, lower part of the face. Thus, it can be stated that a subcutaneous tissue cyst in most cases is localized in places with the most well-developed sebaceous glands. According to the frequency of atheroma occurrence, body zones can be arranged in the following order:
- Face – nasolabial triangle, brow ridges, eyelids, area around the ear, chin.
- The head is the hairy part.
- Armpit area.
- The back of the neck.
- Back - between the shoulder blades.
- Groin area.
- Shins.
- Breasts.
- Hip area.
- Buttocks.
- Stomach.
Clinical signs of atheroma on the body are determined visually and by palpation:
- The neoplasm looks like a raised subcutaneous lump.
- When palpated, the atheroma is mobile, elastic and quite dense in structure.
- The skin is unchanged.
- The external borders of the atheroma are very clear.
- The cyst does not cause pain.
- In the center of the atheroma there is a visible opening of the sebaceous gland duct, often blocked by secretion.