Atrial myxoma is a heart condition in which a non-cancerous tumor grows in the left or right atrium of the heart. The spelling of this medical term can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription. The word "atrial" is pronounced as /ˈeɪtriəl/, with emphasis on the first syllable. "Myxoma" is pronounced as /maɪksˈoʊmə/, with emphasis on the second syllable. This spelling helps medical professionals communicate accurately and effectively about this condition, allowing for optimal diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial myxoma.
Atrial myxoma is a medical term used to describe a noncancerous tumor that develops in the heart, specifically in the atria, which are the upper chambers of the organ. This type of tumor primarily consists of abnormal connective tissue, commonly referred to as myxoid tissue. Atrial myxomas are the most common type of primary cardiac tumor, meaning that they originate from the heart itself rather than spreading from other parts of the body.
These tumors tend to grow within the left atrium, near the wall that separates the two atria. However, they can also develop in the right atrium or occasionally in both chambers simultaneously. Atrial myxomas typically arise within the heart's interatrial septum, which is the dividing wall between the atria, causing it to obstruct blood flow between the chambers.
Some common symptoms associated with atrial myxoma include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and fluid retention. Due to these nonspecific symptoms, atrial myxomas are often misdiagnosed as other cardiac conditions or respiratory problems.
Surgical removal, also known as resection, is the recommended treatment for atrial myxoma. Prompt removal is essential, as these tumors can lead to severe complications, such as embolization, where fragments break off and travel through the bloodstream, causing blockages and potentially damaging other organs. If left untreated, atrial myxomas can also cause heart failure or even sudden cardiac death.
The word "atrial" is derived from the Latin word "atrium", which means "entrance hall" or "central hall". In anatomy, "atrium" refers to the two upper chambers of the heart, namely the left atrium and the right atrium.
The term "myxoma" originates from the Greek word "myxa", which means "mucus" or "slime". It is used to describe a benign tumor that arises from the connective tissue, particularly in the heart.
Therefore, "atrial myxoma" refers to a tumor that arises from the connective tissue within the atria of the heart.