scrofula

noun Pathology.

1. primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those of the neck.

noun

1. pathol (no longer in technical use) tuberculosis of the lymphatic glandsAlso called (formerly): the king’s evil

n.c.1400, scrophulas (plural) from Late Latin scrofulæ (plural) “swelling of the glands of the neck,” literally “little pigs,” from Latin scrofa “breeding sow” (see screw (n.)). The connection may be because the glands associated with the disease resemble the body of a sow or some part of it, or because pigs were thought to be prone to it. Cf. Greek khoirades (plural) “scrofula,” related to khoiros “young pig.” n.

1. A form of tuberculosis affecting the lymph nodes, especially of the neck, that is most common in children and is usually spread by unpasteurized milk from infected cows.struma