Radiology

Diverticulitis is a medical condition in which one or more diverticula in the colon become inflamed or infected. It often presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, and digestive symptoms. The term combines diverticulum (a pouch) with the suffix -itis (inflammation).

Edema is a medical term describing swelling caused by fluid accumulation in body tissues, often visible in extremities or dependent areas. It results from various conditions affecting circulation or lymphatic drainage. In medical contexts, edema is evaluated by location, cause, and severity, and may require treatment or monitoring.

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition characterized by the destruction of the alveoli, reducing surface area for gas exchange and causing breathlessness. It progresses gradually and is typically associated with smoking or long-term exposure to lung irritants. Management focuses on relief of symptoms, slowing progression, and maintaining activity levels.

Empyema is a medical condition in which pus accumulates within a pre-existing cavity, most commonly the pleural space around the lungs or a body cavity such as the sinuses. It results from infection and inflammation that trap purulent material, requiring medical drainage and antibiotic treatment. The term is used in clinical contexts and scholarly discussions of infectious disease and thoracic surgery.

Enhancement is the act or process of improving or increasing the quality, value, or extent of something. It typically refers to subtle or significant improvements, upgrades, or additions designed to make a thing better. In contexts ranging from technology to personal development, enhancement implies enhancement without changing the core function or nature of the subject.

Ethmoid is a delicate, pyramidal bone forming part of the nasal cavity and the orbits, situated between the sphenoid and nasal bones. It contributes to the ethmoidal labyrinth and cribriform plate, and its pronounced complexity makes it a challenging term for medical and dental contexts. Use precise articulation to distinguish it from similar skull-base terms.

Facet (noun) refers to a particular aspect or side of something, often one among several features or characteristics. It can also describe a polished, flat surface on a cut gem. In discourse, facets are discussed to examine different perspectives or elements within a topic.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor classified as a grade IV astrocytoma. It typically presents rapid growth and diffuse infiltration into surrounding brain tissue, making treatment challenging. The term combines Greek roots for 'glio' (glial cells), 'blast' (bud/immature cell), and 'oma' (tumor).

Hemorrhage (noun) refers to a discharge of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, either externally or internally. It can denote significant bleeding due to injury, illness, or surgical procedures, and is used in medical and everyday contexts. The term also appears metaphorically to describe rapid, excessive loss of something valuable.

Hepatomegaly is the medical term for an enlarged liver. It is a noun used in clinical contexts to describe hepatomegaly of varying degrees, often indicating underlying hepatic disease or systemic illness. The word combines two Greek-derived elements and is commonly encountered in medical documentation and discussions of liver pathology.

Heterogeneous is an adjective describing a composition made of unlike parts or diverse elements. It denotes variation within a group or mixture, contrasted with homogeneous. In academic contexts, it often refers to datasets, populations, or materials containing varied constituents.

Homogeneous describes a mixture or group in which the components are so similar that the whole appears uniform or identical throughout; all parts share the same composition or properties. It is often used in science to denote uniform composition and in everyday speech to describe a consistent, undifferentiated set. The term contrasts with heterogeneous, where components remain distinct.

Hydrocephalus is a medical condition in which fluid builds up inside the skull, putting pressure on the brain. It is typically caused by impaired drainage or blocked pathways, leading to enlarged head size in infants or cognitive and physical symptoms in others. Proper treatment often involves surgical intervention to relieve the pressure.

Hydronephrosis is a medical condition in which one or both kidneys become enlarged due to urine buildup from a blockage or obstruction. The term combines Greek roots for water and kidney, and describes the distention of the renal pelvis and calyces. It is typically diagnosed via imaging and can be acute or chronic, requiring medical evaluation and treatment.

Hypoechoic is a medical descriptor used of tissues or lesions that appear darker on an ultrasound image due to lower echogenicity. It indicates that the structure reflects fewer ultrasound waves than surrounding tissues, often suggesting fluid or less dense tissue. The term is typically used in radiology and sonography reporting and varies in diagnostic significance based on context and comparison with adjacent anatomy.

Ileum is the final and longest section of the small intestine, ending at the ileocecal valve. It primarily absorbs bile acids, vitamin B12, and other nutrients. In anatomy contexts, it’s contrasted with the jejunum and duodenum and is often discussed in relation to gastrointestinal physiology and disorders.

Infarct (noun) refers to tissue death due to loss of blood supply, typically from a blockage in an artery; it is commonly used in medical contexts to describe localized necrosis in organs or tissue. The term is used in clinical discussions, pathology reports, and imaging results when describing myocardial, cerebral, or other organ infarcts. It denotes irreversible cell injury from ischemia.

Infarction is a medical condition where tissue death occurs due to an interruption in blood supply, commonly due to a blocked artery. It typically refers to heart (myocardial infarction) or brain (cerebral infarction) tissue, and has serious acute implications requiring urgent care. The term is used in clinical contexts and medical literature rather than everyday conversation.

Infiltrate is a word that refers to entering or gaining access to a space, organization, or system, often covertly. It can function as a noun describing the act or result of infiltration, or as a verb meaning to enter or gain access in a gradual, secretive way. In specialized contexts, it signals a deliberate, concealed entry used to influence or observe from within.

Intervertebral is an adjective describing anything situated or occurring between adjacent vertebrae of the spine. It is used mainly in medical contexts to refer to structures, spaces, or discs located between vertebral bones.

Kyphosis is a medical term describing an excessive forward rounding of the spine, typically in the thoracic region. It denotes a curvature that can be structural or functional and may affect posture and comfort. The word is used mainly in clinical contexts and medical discussions about spinal health, posture assessment, and orthopedic treatment.

Lacrimal is an adjective describing anything related to tears or tear production, especially the lacrimal apparatus in the eye. In medical and anatomical contexts it often refers to tear glands or tear ducts. The term is used in precise, technical language and appears in ophthalmology and anatomy discussions.

A medical term meaning a localized abnormal tissue area resulting from injury or disease. In anatomy, a lesion can be a cut, bruise, ulcer, tumor, or scar. The term is used across clinical disciplines to describe any pathologic change in tissue. It is pronounced with two syllables and primary stress on the first: LE-zhun.

Liver (noun) refers to either of the organs in humans and many animals that detoxify, metabolize nutrients, and produce bile; or, in culinary contexts, the edible liver of various animals. It denotes a vital organ with a distinct texture and flavor used in a variety of dishes and recipes. The term also appears in idioms and expressions related to vitality or life.