DIAPHRAGMATOCELE Meaning and
Definition
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Diaphragmatocele is a medical term used to describe a congenital defect or abnormality characterized by the herniation of abdominal organs through a hole or weakness in the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, and it plays a crucial role in respiration. In individuals with diaphragmatocele, the diaphragm becomes weakened or develops a defect during fetal development, allowing abdominal organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, or spleen to protrude into the chest cavity. This condition is primarily present at birth (congenital), and it can vary in severity depending on the size and location of the diaphragmatic defect.
Common symptoms of diaphragmatocele include difficulty breathing, respiratory distress, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to inadequate oxygenation), and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or feeding difficulties. These symptoms often become apparent shortly after birth or during the neonatal period.
Diagnosis of diaphragmatocele typically involves a combination of physical examination, ultrasound imaging, and X-rays. Treatment usually involves immediate medical intervention and surgery to repair the diaphragmatic defect and return the herniated organs to their proper position in the abdominal cavity. The precise surgical approach can vary depending on the individual case's complexity and the organs involved.
Overall, diaphragmatocele is a congenital condition characterized by the herniation of abdominal organs through a weakened or defective diaphragm, which necessitates prompt medical intervention to ensure proper organ placement and respiratory function.
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Hernia through an opening in the diaphragm.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DIAPHRAGMATOCELE
- diaphragmatocelm
- diaphragmatocela
- diaphragmatocelg
- diaphragmatteocele
- diaphragmatwocele
- d iaphragmatocele
- di aphragmatocele
- diaph ragmatocele
- diaphr agmatocele
- diaphra gmatocele
- diaphrag matocele
- diaphragm atocele
- diaphragma tocele
- diaphragmat ocele
- diaphragmato cele
- diaphragmatoc ele
- diaphragmatoce le
- diaphragmatocel e
Etymology of DIAPHRAGMATOCELE
The word "diaphragmatocele" is derived from two Greek roots: "diaphragma" and "kele".
The term "diaphragma" (ΔΙΑΦΡΑΓΜΑ) in Greek refers to the diaphragm, which is a flat muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, aiding in the process of respiration by expanding and contracting.
The suffix "kele" (κήλη) means hernia in Greek.
Therefore, "diaphragmatocele" combines "diaphragma" with "kele" to describe a medical condition known as diaphragmatic hernia, which occurs when organs from the abdomen migrate through an opening or defect in the diaphragm and enter the chest cavity.
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