The term "milky ascites" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈmɪlki əˈsaɪtiːz/. The first syllable starts with the sound /m/, followed by a short vowel sound represented by /ɪ/. The second syllable contains the long vowel sound /iː/, and the final syllable starts with the sound /ə/ and ends with the sound /z/. This medical term refers to the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which has a milky appearance due to the presence of lipids or fat.
Milky ascites refers to a condition characterized by the presence of milky or turbid fluid in the peritoneal cavity, the space between the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall. The term "ascites" is commonly used to describe the abnormal accumulation of fluid within this abdominal cavity.
The milky appearance of the fluid is due to the presence of lipid droplets or fat. It occurs when there is a disturbance in the normal balance of fluids within the body. Normally, the peritoneum produces a small amount of clear fluid to lubricate the abdominal organs, but in the case of milky ascites, this fluid becomes milky due to the leakage of fats from damaged lymphatic vessels, fatty necrosis, or chylous effusions.
Milky ascites can be caused by various underlying conditions, including liver diseases (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis), certain cancers (such as lymphoma or ovarian cancer), infections (such as tuberculosis or bacterial peritonitis), trauma, and obstruction or injury to the lymphatic system. It can also occur as a result of certain medical procedures, such as liver transplant or abdominal surgery.
The diagnosis of milky ascites is usually made by analyzing a sample of the fluid obtained through a procedure called paracentesis. Treatment of milky ascites primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can involve medical interventions, such as medications to manage liver disease or infection, or surgical procedures to repair or bypass damaged lymphatic vessels.
Chylous a., chyliform a., pseudochylous a.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term milky ascites is a medical term used to describe a condition where there is an accumulation of milky or cloudy fluid in the abdominal cavity, specifically in the peritoneal space. It is not a word with a specific etymology but rather a descriptive term based on the appearance of the fluid.
However, it is worth noting that the term ascites has its origin from the Greek word askos which means bag or sac. The term was borrowed into Latin as ascites and later into English. Ascites generally refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
So, while there is no specific etymology for the term milky ascites, the term itself is a combination of the descriptive word milky and the medical term ascites.