Hemic murmur is a medical term used to describe a type of heart murmur. The word is spelled /hɛmɪk ˈmɜrmər/, with the first syllable "hem" pronounced like "hemoglobin" and the second syllable "ic" pronounced like "sick." The word "murmur" is spelled phonetically, with the stress on the first syllable and a short "u" sound in the second syllable. Hemic murmurs can be caused by anemia or other blood disorders and typically sound like a swishing or whooshing noise when listening to the heart with a stethoscope.
A hemic murmur refers to an abnormal heart sound that is heard during the auscultation of the heart. This type of murmur is typically characterized by its timing and location. It is heard best over a specific area of the heart and is synchronous with the heart's contractions. The term "hemic" derives from the Latin word "hemicus," meaning "half," which is used to emphasize the limited extent of the murmur, often confined to one side of the heart.
Hemic murmurs are commonly caused by structural abnormalities or alterations in the flow of blood within the heart. These abnormalities can include valvular defects, such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), as well as congenital heart defects. They can be classified based on their intensity, pitch, duration, and quality, which helps in identifying the underlying cause. Diagnostic techniques, such as echocardiography or cardiac catheterization, may be utilized to further evaluate and confirm the etiology of hemic murmurs.
It is important to note that hemic murmurs are not always pathologic and can be innocent or functional in nature. Innocent murmurs commonly occur in children and are not associated with any structural heart abnormalities. However, in adults, the presence of a hemic murmur may signal an underlying cardiac pathology that requires proper evaluation and management, as it may affect the heart's normal functioning and potentially lead to complications if left untreated.
A cardiac or vascular m. heard in anemic persons who have no valvular lesion, due to an abnormal, usually anemic, condition of the blood.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hemic murmur" can be broken down into its two components: "hemic" and "murmur".
- "Hemic" is derived from the Greek word "hēmi-" (ἡμι-), meaning "half" or "one side".
- "Murmur" is derived from the Latin word "murmurare", which means "to murmur" or "to make a low, indistinct sound".
The term "hemic murmur" is used in medical contexts to describe a heart murmur that is localized to one side of the chest or heard predominantly on one side of the heart. The etymology of the word reflects its meaning, indicating that it pertains to a murmur that is specific to one side.