polip

Polip, or polyp, is a term used in medicine and zoology to describe a growth or life stage.

In medicine, a polyp is a projection from a mucous membrane into the lumen of an organ. They commonly occur in the colon and rectum, the stomach, the nasal passages, the uterus, and the bladder. Most polyps are benign, but some are premalignant or cause symptoms depending on size and location. Colorectal polyps are often adenomatous (pre-cancerous) or hyperplastic; nasal polyps are associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and may cause nasal obstruction and reduced sense of smell. Uterine polyps can cause abnormal bleeding. Treatment typically involves removal by endoscopy or surgical resection. Regular screening reduces cancer risk in people with adenomatous polyps.

In zoology, a polyp is one of the two main body forms of Cnidarians, alongside the medusa. Polyp bodies are usually cylindrical and sessile, with the mouth and tentacles opening at the top. They may reproduce asexually by budding and, in many species, form colonies such as corals and some sea anemones. Some cnidarians alternate between polyp and medusa stages during their life cycle.