Pericarditis adhesive is a medical condition that refers to an inflammation of the sac that encases the heart, which leads to the formation of fibrous tissue. The spelling of this word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) guidelines, where the first syllable "per-i-" is pronounced /ˌpɛr ə/, the second syllable "car" is pronounced /kɑrd/, and the third syllable "di-" is pronounced /ˈdaɪ/. Finally, the last syllable "tis" is pronounced /tɪs/. This word can be challenging to spell, but the pronunciation guide helps to break down each part of the word.
Pericarditis adhesive refers to a medical condition characterized by inflammation and subsequent adhesion of the pericardium, the fibrous sack surrounding the heart. The pericardium has two layers: an outer layer known as the parietal pericardium and an inner layer called the visceral pericardium. In pericarditis adhesive, these layers become inflamed and may stick or adhere to each other, limiting the movement and function of the heart.
This condition is typically caused by various factors such as viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, chest trauma, radiation therapy, or certain medications. The inflammation leads to the accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial space, resulting in chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a sensation of tightness in the chest. The adhesion of the pericardial layers may further restrict the heart's ability to expand and contract properly during each heartbeat.
Diagnosing pericarditis adhesive usually entails a thorough medical history review, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests such as electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest X-ray, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment options typically involve addressing the underlying cause of inflammation, relieving symptoms through medication to reduce inflammation and pain, and, in severe cases, removing the adhesions through surgery.
While pericarditis adhesive can cause significant discomfort and potentially affect heart function, it is a treatable condition with appropriate medical intervention. Timely and accurate diagnosis, along with an individualized treatment plan, can help manage the symptoms effectively and prevent long-term complications.
P. obliterans.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "pericarditis adhesive" consists of two components: "pericarditis" and "adhesive".
1. "Pericarditis" is derived from the Greek words "peri" meaning "around" and "kardia" meaning "heart". Thus, "pericarditis" refers to inflammation of the pericardium, which is the double-layered membrane that surrounds and protects the heart.
2. "Adhesive" in this context refers to the formation of scar tissue or adhesions within the pericardium, which occurs as a result of chronic inflammation. "Adhesive" comes from the Latin word "adhaerere", which means "to stick" or "to adhere".
Therefore, "pericarditis adhesive" describes a condition in which there is inflammation of the pericardium accompanied by the formation of adhesions within the pericardial sac.