HIPPOCRATIC NAILS Meaning and
Definition
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Hippocratic nails, also known as digital clubbing or clubbed nails, refers to a deformity of the fingertips and nails that is characterized by a bulbous enlargement of the distal part of the fingers. This condition is named after Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, who first described this abnormality.
The appearance of Hippocratic nails involves a thickening of the soft tissues surrounding the nail bed, resulting in a loss of the normal angle between the nail and the finger. The nails appear exaggeratedly convex, round, and broader than usual. Additionally, the nail bed itself becomes spongy and tender upon palpation.
Hippocratic nails are often associated with chronic respiratory conditions, particularly those causing hypoxia or reduced oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis are commonly linked to digital clubbing. Other conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver cirrhosis, can also present with Hippocratic nails.
The exact mechanism behind the development of Hippocratic nails is still not fully understood. However, it is believed that chronic hypoxia leads to the release of certain growth factors, causing increased proliferation of cells in the nail bed and surrounding tissues. This excessive cell growth, combined with alterations in blood circulation, ultimately results in the characteristic finger and nail deformity.
Clinically, the presence of Hippocratic nails can serve as a diagnostic clue for an underlying chronic condition, aiding physicians in identifying and managing a patient's health condition.
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The coarse, curved nails capping the H. fingers.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HIPPOCRATIC NAILS
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Etymology of HIPPOCRATIC NAILS
The term "Hippocratic nails" is derived from the name of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who is often referred to as the "Father of Medicine". Hippocrates lived around the 5th and 4th centuries BCE and made significant contributions to the field of medicine.
The word "nails" in this context refers to the fingernails. "Hippocratic nails" is a medical term used to describe a condition where the nails appear spoon-shaped or concave. This condition is also known as "koilonychia".
The term "Hippocratic nails" itself is not directly attributed to Hippocrates. However, it is named after him due to his association with pioneering the study and observation of different medical conditions, including those affecting the nails.
