HEPATOMALACIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hepatomalacia is a medical term that refers to the pathological condition characterized by the softening and degeneration of the liver tissue. The word is derived from the combination of two Greek terms - "hepar," meaning liver, and "malakia," meaning softening.
The condition results from various factors such as inadequate blood supply or reduced oxygen to the liver, toxic chemical exposure, viral or bacterial infections, alcoholic liver disease, or autoimmune disorders. Hepatomalacia is often a consequence of chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or fatty liver disease.
Symptoms of hepatomalacia may include liver tenderness, abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), easy bruising or bleeding, fluid retention in the abdomen (ascites), and an enlarged liver. However, in some cases, individuals may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms until the disease has advanced.
Diagnosis of hepatomalacia typically involves various laboratory tests, including liver function tests, ultrasound imaging, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the liver condition. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and may involve lifestyle modifications, medication, surgery, or liver transplantation in severe cases.
If left untreated, hepatomalacia can progress to more serious complications such as liver failure or liver cancer. Therefore, early detection and intervention are crucial for better prognosis and improved quality of life. Regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the development or progression of hepatomalacia.
Common Misspellings for HEPATOMALACIA
- gepatomalacia
- bepatomalacia
- nepatomalacia
- jepatomalacia
- uepatomalacia
- yepatomalacia
- hwpatomalacia
- hspatomalacia
- hdpatomalacia
- hrpatomalacia
- h4patomalacia
- h3patomalacia
- heoatomalacia
- helatomalacia
- he-atomalacia
- he0atomalacia
- hepztomalacia
- hepstomalacia
- hepwtomalacia
- hepqtomalacia
Etymology of HEPATOMALACIA
The word "hepatomalacia" is derived from two components: "hepato" and "malacia".
- "Hepato" refers to the liver. It comes from the Greek word "hepar" (ἧπαρ), meaning "liver".
- "Malacia" is derived from the Greek word "malakia" (μαλακία), meaning "softness" or "softening".
Therefore, "hepatomalacia" combines these two components to describe a condition characterized by the softening or degeneration of the liver.
