HORSESHOE KIDNEY Meaning and
Definition
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Horseshoe kidney is a congenital condition characterized by the fusion or joining of the lower poles of the kidneys during embryonic development. It is named so because the fused kidneys resemble the shape of a horseshoe. This rare anatomical anomaly occurs in approximately 1 in every 500 individuals and is more commonly observed in males.
In a horseshoe kidney, the fused kidneys are positioned lower than their normal anatomical location, usually in the pelvis area. This occurs due to the failure of the kidneys to ascend to their normal position during fetal development. The fusion occurs either at the lower end or near the upper end of the kidneys. The fusion is typically found at the isthmus, a small bridge of tissue connecting the fused kidneys.
The condition may remain asymptomatic for most individuals throughout their lives and often goes undiagnosed unless detected incidentally during imaging tests conducted for unrelated reasons. In some cases, however, horseshoe kidney can be associated with various complications, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, renal obstruction, and an increased risk of kidney cancer.
Treatment for horseshoe kidney focuses on managing the associated complications and minimizing symptoms that may arise. This can involve the use of antibiotics to prevent or treat infections, pain management for kidney stones or obstructions, and close monitoring for potential cancerous growths. In severe cases where complications are recurrent or severe, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct or address them.
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Union of the lower extremities of the two kidneys by a band of tissue extending across the vertebral column.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HORSESHOE KIDNEY
- hoerseshoeekidney
- horseshokidney
- hoarseshoekidney
- horeseshoekidney
- horseshookidney
- h orseshoe kidney
- ho rseshoe kidney
- hor seshoe kidney
- hors eshoe kidney
- horse shoe kidney
- horses hoe kidney
- horsesh oe kidney
- horsesho e kidney
- horseshoe k idney
- horseshoe ki dney
- horseshoe kid ney
- horseshoe kidn ey
- horseshoe kidne y
Etymology of HORSESHOE KIDNEY
The term "horseshoe kidney" comes from the combination of two words: "horseshoe" and "kidney". Here is the breakdown of their etymology:
1. Horseshoe: The word "horseshoe" originated from the Old English word "horscwa" which was a combination of "hors" (horse) and "sceo" (shoe). The shape of a horseshoe closely resembles the U-shaped object designed to be worn by horses for protection and to aid in their traction.
2. Kidney: The word "kidney" has Middle English roots, traced back to the Old English word "cynēowe" or "cynēowu".
