Focal sclerosis is a medical condition where there is damage or hardening in a specific area of tissue or organ. The spelling of this term is pronounced as /fəʊkəl skləˈrəʊsɪs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part "focal" is pronounced as /ˈfəʊkəl/, with stress on the first syllable, and it means "pertaining to a particular point or area." The second part "sclerosis" is pronounced as /skləˈrəʊsɪs/, with stress on the second syllable, and it means "hardening or thickening of tissue." Together, the word describes a precise phenomenon in medicine.
Focal sclerosis refers to a medical condition characterized by the abnormal hardening or thickening of specific areas or regions within a particular structure or tissue of the body. This condition is commonly observed in the context of the kidneys, where it is known as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
In FSGS, the glomeruli, which are tiny blood vessels responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood, exhibit abnormal scarring and sclerosis. This scarring can cause the glomeruli to become less effective at their filtration function, leading to the accumulation of waste and fluids in the body. Focal sclerosis can lead to symptoms such as proteinuria (presence of excessive protein in urine), swelling, high blood pressure, and reduced kidney function.
Outside of the kidneys, focal sclerosis can also occur in other tissues or organs. For instance, focal sclerosis has been reported in the central nervous system, particularly in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In MS, focal sclerosis refers to the development of hardened or scarred areas called plaques within the protective covering of nerve fibers, impairing their ability to transmit signals properly.
Overall, focal sclerosis refers to the localized formation of scar tissue or hardening within a specific region of a tissue or organ, often leading to functional impairments and associated symptoms.
Multiple s.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "focal sclerosis" has its roots in Latin and Greek.
The word "focal" comes from the Latin word "focus", meaning "hearth" or "fireplace". In English, "focal" is used to describe something that is central or has a point of focus.
The word "sclerosis" is derived from the Greek word "sklērōsis", which means "hardening". In medical terminology, "sclerosis" refers to a pathological condition characterized by the hardening or thickening of tissues or organs.
In the context of "focal sclerosis", the term is often used in medicine, particularly in neurological and ophthalmological fields, to describe the development of a hardened or scarred area in a specific region or focal point.