HEPATISATION Meaning and
Definition
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Hepatisation is a medical term commonly used in the field of pathology to describe a process in which a normally spongy or air-filled organ or tissue becomes firm or solid. This term is exclusively used to describe changes that occur in the lungs during certain diseases or conditions.
During hepatisation, the alveoli (small air sacs within the lungs) become filled with fluid, blood cells, or inflammatory exudate, leading to their consolidation. This consolidation causes the affected lung tissue to appear solid and firm on physical examination or imaging studies, such as chest X-rays or CT scans.
Hepatisation typically occurs as a consequence of inflammation, often associated with conditions like pneumonia, lung abscesses, or other lung infections. When an infection reaches the alveoli, it triggers an immune response, resulting in inflammation and the subsequent influx of fluid and cellular debris. This inflammatory process disrupts the normal air-filled structure of the lung tissue, leading to the solidification observed during hepatisation.
Clinically, hepatisation can manifest as symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the inflammation, such as antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections. As the inflammation subsides, the lung tissue gradually returns to its normal spongy state, a process known as resolution.
In summary, hepatisation refers to the pathological process in which lung tissue becomes solid due to inflammation, most commonly observed in lung infections like pneumonia.
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A diseased part of the body having the appearance of liver.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HEPATISATION
- hepatizastion
- hepatization
- gepatisation
- bepatisation
- nepatisation
- jepatisation
- uepatisation
- yepatisation
- hwpatisation
- hspatisation
- hdpatisation
- hrpatisation
- h4patisation
- h3patisation
- heoatisation
- helatisation
- he-atisation
- he0atisation
- hepztisation
- hepstisation
Etymology of HEPATISATION
The word "hepatisation" has its roots in Latin and ancient Greek. It is derived from the Latin word "hepar" meaning "liver" and the Greek word "hēpan" (ἧπαρ) also meaning "liver". The suffix "-ation" is added to create a noun form, denoting a process or state of becoming like the liver.
"Hepatisation" is often used in medical terminology to describe a pathological condition in which lung tissues become solid and firmer than normal due to inflammation or infection. This change in lung tissues is likened to the texture and appearance of the liver, thus the term "hepatisation" is used.
