Chagoma

/tʃɑːˈɡoʊmə/ noun

Definition

A skin lesion or ulcer that appears at the site of infection with trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), marking where the parasite entered.

Etymology

From African languages, particularly those of Central Africa where sleeping sickness is endemic. The term entered medical terminology through observations of the disease in regions where it was most prevalent, possibly derived from Bantu language roots.

Kelly Says

A chagoma is like the body's warning sign for sleeping sickness—it's the red, swollen skin lesion that appears where the tsetse fly bit you, and seeing one meant you had days or weeks before the parasite reached your brain.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.