HEMATOPERITONEUM Meaning and
Definition
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Hematoperitoneum is a medical term that refers to the presence of blood in the peritoneal cavity, which is the space within the abdomen that contains various organs such as the liver, stomach, intestines, and ovaries. It occurs as a result of bleeding from blood vessels within the abdomen, often due to trauma, injury, or spontaneous rupture of an organ.
Hematoperitoneum can be a life-threatening condition, as the accumulation of blood in the peritoneal cavity may lead to blood loss, hypovolemic shock, and organ dysfunction. Patients with hematoperitoneum typically present with symptoms such as sudden severe abdominal pain, tenderness, distension, and signs of blood loss, such as low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and paleness.
The diagnosis of hematoperitoneum is usually made through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging techniques, and laboratory tests. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT scan), or diagnostic peritoneal lavage can help identify the presence and extent of blood in the abdomen.
Treatment of hematoperitoneum depends on the underlying cause and severity of bleeding. It often involves a combination of medical management, surgery, and supportive care. In cases of severe bleeding or organ injury, emergency surgery may be required to control bleeding, repair damaged organs, and remove blood clots from the peritoneal cavity.
Prognosis for hematoperitoneum is variable and depends on the promptness of diagnosis, underlying cause, severity of bleeding, and timely interventions. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial to prevent complications and improve the patient's outcome.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMATOPERITONEUM
- hematteoperitoneum
- hematoperitwonum
- hematopurritoneum
- hematwoperitwoneum
- hematooperitooneum
- h ematoperitoneum
- he matoperitoneum
- hem atoperitoneum
- hema toperitoneum
- hemat operitoneum
- hematope ritoneum
- hematoper itoneum
- hematoperi toneum
- hematoperit oneum
- hematoperito neum
- hematoperiton eum
- hematoperitone um
- hematoperitoneu m
Etymology of HEMATOPERITONEUM
The word "hematoperitoneum" is derived from Greek roots. The term can be broken down as follows:
1. "Hemato-" is derived from the Greek word "haima", which means "blood".
2. "-peritoneum" is derived from the Greek word "peritonaion", which refers to the peritoneum, the serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering most abdominal organs.
Thus, "hematoperitoneum" combines the Greek roots to describe the presence of blood in the peritoneum, typically caused by bleeding within the abdominal cavity.
