LARDACEOUS LIVER Meaning and
Definition
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Lardaceous liver refers to a medical condition characterized by the abnormal deposition of a waxy, translucent substance called amyloid in the liver tissue. The term "lardaceous" is derived from the Latin word "lardum," which means lard or fat, due to the visual resemblance of the affected liver to a fatty organ. It is also known as amyloid liver or waxy liver.
The condition typically occurs as a result of the accumulation of amyloid protein, derived from the misfolding and aggregation of certain precursor proteins, within the liver cells. These abnormal protein deposits gradually replace the normal liver tissue, resulting in a firm, pale or yellowish liver with a waxy appearance. The liver's functionality may be compromised due to the displacement and damage caused by the amyloid deposits.
Lardaceous liver is commonly associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or chronic infections, as well as certain types of cancers, like Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as abdominal pain, enlarged liver, weight loss, fatigue, or jaundice, depending on the underlying cause and the severity of liver damage.
The diagnosis of lardaceous liver typically involves a combination of clinical examination, blood tests, imaging techniques (such as ultrasound or CT scans), and a liver biopsy to confirm the presence of amyloid deposits. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and may include addressing the primary condition, managing symptoms, and supportive care. In some cases, liver transplant may be considered as a potential treatment for end-stage liver disease caused by lardaceous liver.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LARDACEOUS LIVER
- lardaceous livez
- lardaceous livev
- lardaceous livep
- lardaceous lives
- l ardaceous liver
- la rdaceous liver
- lar daceous liver
- lard aceous liver
- larda ceous liver
- lardac eous liver
- lardace ous liver
- lardaceo us liver
- lardaceou s liver
- lardaceous l iver
- lardaceous li ver
- lardaceous liv er
- lardaceous live r
Etymology of LARDACEOUS LIVER
The term "lardaceous liver" is not commonly used in modern medical terminology. However, historically it was used to describe a condition called "lardaceous degeneration" or "amyloid degeneration".
The term "lardaceous" itself is derived from the Latin word "lardaceus", meaning "resembling lard". It was used to describe the appearance and consistency of affected tissues, which appeared pale, waxy, and glistening, similar to lard.
The word "lardaceous" was primarily used before the discovery of the specific composition of amyloid deposits. This condition was later found to be caused by the accumulation of an abnormal protein called amyloid, which can affect different organs, including the liver.
Therefore, the term "lardaceous liver" was coined based on the visual resemblance of the affected liver to lard and the understanding that it was caused by the deposition of amyloid protein.
