Which histological feature characterizes a pulmonary hamartoma?

Pulmonary hamartomas are benign tumors that typically present as well-circumscribed lesions in the lungs. The defining histological feature of these tumors is their composition, which is predominantly made up of mature cartilage. This characteristic is significant as it differentiates pulmonary hamartomas from other lung pathologies, including malignant tumors or lesions with a different tissue composition.

In addition to mature cartilage, pulmonary hamartomas may also contain elements of other tissues, such as epithelial cells and smooth muscle, but the presence of mature cartilage is a prominent and distinguishing feature. This composition arises from a disorganized mixture of normal lung tissue elements, which emphasizes the tumor's benign nature and its origin from the lung's own tissue structures.

Understanding the histological features of pulmonary hamartomas is important for accurate diagnosis and for distinguishing them from other lung lesions, which may present with significantly different histological findings.