What type of tissue makes up a lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign tumor characterized primarily by an overgrowth of adipose tissue, which is the medical term for fat tissue. Understanding this is crucial because lipomas are typically soft, movable lumps that are found just beneath the skin. They are composed of mature fat cells and generally do not cause pain unless they press on nearby structures.

The formation of a lipoma has strong ties to genetics, and its composition makes it distinctly different from other types of tumors that are made up of nerve tissue, muscle tissue, or cartilage. This is important since each of those other tissues has unique functions and characteristics that do not apply to lipomas. Therefore, recognizing that fat tissue is the basis for a lipoma helps in understanding the nature of this type of benign growth and differentiating it from more serious conditions that may involve other types of tissues.