Question

Glomus tumor is seen in -

• A. Retroperitoneum
• B. Soft tissue
• C. Distal portion of digits
• D. Proximal portion of digits

Hint:

Think of the painful subungual lesion arising from a thermoregulatory arteriovenous body.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: A glomus tumour is a benign but characteristically painful tumour that arises from the modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body. The glomus body is a specialised arteriovenous anastomosis involved in thermoregulation.

Step 2: Glomus bodies are most concentrated in the distal parts of the fingers and toes, particularly beneath the nail bed. So glomus tumours are most commonly found in the distal portion of the digits, classically under the fingernails.

Step 3: The clinical triad of severe pain, pinpoint tenderness and cold sensitivity at a subungual site supports the diagnosis and matches this anatomical location.

Step 4: Among the options, the retroperitoneum, general soft tissue and proximal digit are not the typical sites, so the correct answer is the distal portion of the digits.