The spelling of the phrase "accidental murmur" can be explained by breaking it down into its individual sounds, using IPA phonetic transcription. It can be written as /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl ˈmɜrmər/. The first syllable, "accidental," is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by a "k" sound, and then an "s" sound. The second syllable, "murmur," starts with a short "u" sound, followed by an "r" sound, and ends with a soft "m" sound. Together, these sounds create the word "accidental murmur," which refers to an abnormal heart sound heard during a physical examination.
Accidental murmur refers to an abnormal heart sound that is heard during auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) due to the presence of an underlying condition. This type of murmur is also commonly known as an innocent or functional murmur.
When listening to the heart with a stethoscope, a healthcare provider may detect an accidental murmur, which sounds like a whooshing or swishing noise. Unlike pathological murmurs, accidental murmurs do not signify any structural abnormalities in the heart, but rather result from variations in blood flow patterns within the heart or blood vessels.
Accidental murmurs are typically heard in children and young adults and tend to come and go. They often manifest during periods of increased blood flow or cardiac output, such as during exercise, fever, anxiety, or pregnancy. Common causes of accidental murmurs include the rapid filling of the heart's chambers, increased blood flow across a heart valve, or the flow of blood through certain blood vessels.
It is essential to differentiate accidental murmurs from pathological murmurs, which are typically indicative of underlying heart conditions or structural abnormalities. Typically, accidental murmurs are benign and require no treatment or intervention. However, in some cases, further investigations, such as echocardiography or cardiology consultation, may be necessary to rule out any underlying heart condition and provide appropriate care if needed.
An evanescent cardiac m. not due to valvular lesion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "accidental murmur" in the medical field refers to an abnormal sound heard during auscultation of the heart, which is not related to any specific heart condition.
The etymology of this term can be broken down as follows:
- "Accidental" comes from the Latin word "accidens", which means "happening by chance" or "occurring unexpectedly". In this context, it indicates that the murmur is occurring incidentally and is not a primary characteristic of a specific condition.
- "Murmur" has its roots in the Latin word "murmurare", meaning "to murmur or mutter". It refers to any abnormal sound heard during auscultation of the heart, which can be caused by the turbulent flow of blood through the heart's valves.