Overview
A ganglion cyst (plural: ganglia) is a small, fluid-filled lump just below your skin. This type of cyst can develop when you have a tear in the tissue that covers a tendon or joint. This causes the tissue to bulge and create a sac. Another name for a ganglion cyst is a bible cyst.
Ganglia often appear at specific joints. Moving the joint near the cyst may increase swelling and worsen any discomfort you feel. But ganglia aren’t cancerous and are usually harmless. Ganglion cysts typically develop on your:
- Wrist: On the front or back.
- Finger: Near any finger joint (close to your palm or just below your fingernail).
- Foot: Close to your ankle or near your toes.
Some ganglion (pronounced “gang-glee-uhn”) cysts are so small that you may not see an obvious lump under your skin, but they still cause pain. They are known as occult ganglions. Your healthcare provider may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test or an ultrasound to reveal them.
How common are ganglia?
Many people get ganglion cysts. Bible cysts are some of the most common benign (noncancerous) masses that develop in your body’s soft tissues.
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