GRAY HEPATIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Gray hepatization is a medical term used to describe a stage in the progression of a specific type of pneumonia called lobar pneumonia. It refers to a state in which the lungs exhibit a characteristic grayish appearance due to the infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrin into the alveoli, small air sacs in the lungs.
During the initial stages of lobar pneumonia, which is caused by bacteria invading a specific lobe of the lung, the affected alveoli become filled with fluid, red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. As the disease progresses, the fluid begins to solidify, leading to the formation of a fibrin meshwork. This meshwork, along with the presence of inflammatory cells, imparts a grayish color to the affected lung tissue, hence the term "gray hepatization."
The gray hepatization stage typically follows the congestion stage where the lung tissue becomes hyperemic and congested with fluid. It precedes a later stage called red hepatization, in which the lung parenchyma becomes red due to increased blood flow and the continued filling of the alveoli with inflammatory material.
Recognition of gray hepatization is crucial for clinicians as it indicates the progression of pneumonia and helps guide appropriate treatment strategies. Prompt antibiotic therapy is often needed to address the underlying bacterial infection and prevent further tissue damage and spread of the infection to other parts of the lung.
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The second stage of h. in pneumonia, when the exudate is beginning to degenerate prior to breaking down, the color is a yellowish gray or mottled.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GRAY HEPATIZATION
- gray hepatizatinn
- gray hepatizatiof
- gray hepatizatiol
- gray hepatizatioo
- g ray hepatization
- gr ay hepatization
- gra y hepatization
- gray h epatization
- gray hepa tization
- gray hepat ization
- gray hepati zation
- gray hepatiz ation
- gray hepatiza tion
- gray hepatizat ion
- gray hepatizati on
- gray hepatizatio n
Etymology of GRAY HEPATIZATION
The word "gray hepatization" is derived from the combination of two terms: "gray" and "hepatization".
- Gray: The term "gray" in this context refers to the appearance or color of the affected tissue. It describes the grayish color that occurs during a particular stage of the pathological process.
- Hepatization: The term "hepatization" is used to describe the tissue resembling the liver or taking on features similar to the liver. It is derived from the Latin word "hepar", meaning "liver".
In medicine, "gray hepatization" is commonly associated with a stage of pneumonia where the lung tissue becomes engorged with exudate and inflammatory cells. It is characterized by the consolidation of alveoli, giving the affected area a liver-like appearance with a grayish color.
Similar spelling word for GRAY HEPATIZATION
