The phenolsulphonephthalein test is a diagnostic tool used to detect kidney function. The spelling of this word can be challenging due to its length and the presence of difficult combinations of sounds. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /fiːnɒlsʌlfoʊnˈfaɪliːn tɛst/, which breaks down the pronunciation into individual sounds. This helps us understand how to spell the word correctly and communicate it effectively in medical settings. Despite its complexity, the phenolsulphonephthalein test remains an important tool in healthcare.
The phenolsulphonephthalein test, also known as the PSP test, is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the functional capacity of the kidneys in terms of their ability to filter and excrete wastes and toxins from the body. It was initially introduced by the German physician Ludwig Aschoff and his colleague Paul Morawitz in 1909.
The test involves the administration of a synthetic compound called phenolsulphonephthalein, which is usually injected intravenously. This substance is rapidly metabolized by the liver and then excreted into the bile, leading to its concentration in the intestines. From there, it is eliminated primarily through the kidneys.
By measuring the amount of phenolsulphonephthalein excreted in the urine over a given period of time, the rate at which the kidneys are able to eliminate it can be determined. This provides an indirect assessment of renal function, as a decrease in the amount of phenolsulphonephthalein excreted indicates impaired renal clearance and potential kidney dysfunction.
The phenolsulphonephthalein test has been widely used in the past for the diagnosis and monitoring of various kidney disorders, particularly those involving impaired renal blood flow, such as renal artery stenosis or insufficiency. However, it has been largely replaced in modern clinical practice by more advanced and accurate imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography, which can directly visualize and assess the renal blood vessels and parenchyma.
Permeation test; the patient having drunk a glass or two of water, 1 c.c. of a 0.6 per cent. solution of p. is injected hypodermically; the time between this injection and the appearance of a pink tinge in the urine as it falls in an alkaline solution is noted; the amount excreted in each of the next two hours is then estimated by chromatometry.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the word "phenolsulphonephthalein test" can be broken down as follows:
1. Phenol: The term "phenol" comes from the Greek word "phaino", meaning "to show", referring to its ability to produce a variety of colors.
2. Sulphon: It is derived from the term "sulfone", which comes from the chemical group "sulfonic acid" attached to a carbon atom. "Sulphon" denotes a compound containing the sulfonic acid group.
3. Phthalein: The term "phthalein" originates from the word "phthalein dyes". These are synthetic organic dyes that were initially derived from phthalic anhydride, a chemical compound used as a precursor in their production.