MEGALOSPLENIA Meaning and
Definition
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Megalosplenia is a medical term used to describe the condition characterized by an enlarged spleen. The term is derived from the Greek words "megas," meaning large or great, and "splen," meaning spleen.
The spleen is a vital organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen, and it plays a significant role in the proper functioning of the immune system. It acts as a reservoir for blood, filters out old or damaged red blood cells, produces antibodies, and helps fight off infections. However, when the spleen becomes abnormally enlarged, it can lead to megalosplenia.
Megalosplenia can arise due to several underlying causes, such as blood disorders like chronic anemia, leukemia, or lymphoma. It can also occur in certain infections like malaria or mononucleosis, in some autoimmune disorders, or as a result of liver diseases like cirrhosis. The enlarged spleen may lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, feeling full quickly while eating, easy bruising or bleeding, and fatigue.
Diagnosis of megalosplenia involves a thorough physical examination, medical history assessment, and imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scan. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms but may include medication, blood transfusions, surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy), or managing the underlying condition.
Overall, megalosplenia refers to the enlargement of the spleen, which can indicate an underlying health condition that requires medical attention and appropriate treatment.
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Abnormal size of the spleen, splenomegaly.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MEGALOSPLENIA
- negalosplenia
- kegalosplenia
- jegalosplenia
- mwgalosplenia
- msgalosplenia
- mdgalosplenia
- mrgalosplenia
- m4galosplenia
- m3galosplenia
- mefalosplenia
- mevalosplenia
- mebalosplenia
- mehalosplenia
- meyalosplenia
- metalosplenia
- megzlosplenia
- megslosplenia
- megwlosplenia
- megqlosplenia
- megakosplenia
Etymology of MEGALOSPLENIA
The word "megalosplenia" has its roots in two Greek elements: "megas" and "splen".
1. "Megas" (μέγας) means "great" or "big" in Greek.
2. "Splén" (σπλήν) refers to the spleen, an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen.
So, the term "megalosplenia" combines these two elements to describe an enlargement or hypertrophy of the spleen.
