Wart vs. Cyst — What's the Difference?

Warts are typically small, rough, hard growths that are similar in color to the rest of the skin. They typically do not result in other symptoms, except when on the bottom of the feet, where they may be painful.

A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct envelope and division compared with the nearby tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of cells that have grouped together to form a sac (like the manner in which water molecules group together to form a bubble); however, the distinguishing aspect of a cyst is that the cells forming the "shell" of such a sac are distinctly abnormal (in both appearance and behaviour) when compared with all surrounding cells for that given location.

A hard rough lump growing on the skin, caused by infection with certain viruses and occurring typically on the hands or feet.

An abnormal membranous sac in the body containing a gaseous, liquid, or semisolid substance.

A similar growth or protuberance, as on a plant.

A sac or vesicle in the body.

A genital wart.

(Biology) A small capsulelike sac that encloses certain organisms in their dormant or larval stage.

One that resembles or is likened to a wart, especially in unattractiveness or smallness.

(Botany) A thick-walled resting spore, as in certain algae or fungi.

An imperfection; a flaw.

A pouch or sac without opening, usually membranous and containing morbid matter, which develops in one of the natural cavities or in the substance of an organ.

(pathology) A type of deformed growth occurring on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

(medicine) Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder or gall bladder (in compounds).

Any similar growth occurring in plants or animals, such as the parotoid glands in the back of toads.

A pouch or sac without opening, usually membranous and containing morbid matter, which is accidentally developed in one of the natural cavities or in the substance of an organ.

Any of the prefixes used in Hungarian notation.

One of the bladders or air vessels of certain algæ, as of the great kelp of the Pacific, and common rockweeds (Fuci) of our shores.

A small, usually hard, tumor on the skin formed by enlargement of its vascular papillæ, and thickening of the epidermis which covers them.

A small capsule or sac of the kind in which many immature entozoans exist in the tissues of living animals; also, a similar form in Rotifera, etc.

An excrescence or protuberance more or less resembling a true wart; specifically (Bot.), a glandular excrescence or hardened protuberance on plants.

A closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure

Any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)

A small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure (especially one containing fluid)

(pathology) a firm abnormal elevated blemish on the skin; caused by a virus