Metastatic abscess is a medical condition that refers to an abscess, or collection of pus, that has spread from a primary infection site in the body. The word "metastatic" is derived from the Greek word "metastasis," meaning "beyond" or "change." The pronunciation of metastatic abscess is /mɛtəˈstætɪk/ /ˈæbsɛs/, with an emphasis on the second syllable of "metastatic" and the first syllable of "abscess." The phonetic transcription of this word highlights its multifaceted nature and complex pronunciation.
A metastatic abscess is a term used in medical terminology to describe a pus-filled cavity that forms as a result of the spread of infection from one part of the body to another through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. It is a secondary abscess that develops in a distant location from the initial site of infection.
The term "metastatic" refers to the process of metastasis, which is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other areas of the body. However, in the context of a metastatic abscess, it does not involve cancer cells but rather infectious agents, such as bacteria or fungi.
When an infection develops in a specific area, such as a wound, the body's immune system responds by increasing blood flow to the site and sending immune cells to fight off the infection. In some cases, if the immune response is insufficient, the infectious agents can enter the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels and travel to other parts of the body. Once they reach a new site, they can cause the formation of a metastatic abscess.
Metastatic abscesses can occur in various organs or tissues, including the liver, lungs, brain, and bones. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, redness, and the presence of pus in the affected area. Treatment typically involves draining the abscess and administering antibiotics or antifungal medications to control the infection.
Overall, a metastatic abscess is a secondary infection that develops in a different location from the initial site of infection, resulting from the spread of infectious agents through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
A secondary a. formed, at a distance from the primary focus, as a result of the transportation of the pus germs by the lymph or blood stream.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "metastatic" originates from the Greek word "metastasis" (μετάστασις), which means "a change of place" or "a transfer". In medical terms, it refers to the spread of disease from one part of the body to another.
The term "abscess" comes from the Latin word "abscessus", which means "a going away" or "departure". In the context of medicine, an abscess is a localized collection of pus within tissues caused by an infection.
Therefore, the term "metastatic abscess" combines the Greek root "metastatic", indicating the spread of infection, with the Latin word "abscess", highlighting the formation of a localized collection of pus resulting from the infection's spread to another location in the body.