Splenic infarction is a medical condition where an artery supplying blood to the spleen gets blocked, causing tissue necrosis. The spelling of this word can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription, which depicts the sounds of words. The word starts with the "s" sound, followed by "pl" which is pronounced like "pul". The "e" is then pronounced as a short vowel sound, and "n" sounds like "en". The word ends with "ik-shun", which is spelled as "in-far-k-shun".
Splenic infarction refers to a medical condition characterized by the formation of a blockage or obstruction in the blood vessels supplying the spleen, a vital organ located on the upper left side of the abdomen. The obstruction typically occurs due to the occlusion of the splenic artery or its branches, resulting in inadequate blood flow to the spleen, thereby causing tissue death (infarction) in the affected area.
Splenic infarction can occur as a result of various underlying conditions, such as blood clot formation in the splenic artery, embolization of particles or debris, or as a consequence of certain systemic diseases like sickle cell disease, infection, or autoimmune disorders. These conditions can lead to reduced oxygen supply and nutrition to the spleen, triggering tissue death.
Symptoms of splenic infarction may vary depending on the size and extent of the infarction, and can include severe left-sided abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and an enlarged spleen. In some cases, patients may also experience referred pain in the left shoulder or back.
Diagnosis of splenic infarction is typically made through a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scans, and sometimes splenic biopsy.
Treatment for splenic infarction aims to manage the underlying cause, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications like infection or rupture. This may involve conservative measures such as rest, pain relief medications, and supportive care, as well as addressing the specific cause if identified. In severe cases or instances of spleen rupture, surgical intervention to remove the spleen (splenectomy) may be necessary.
The word "splenic infarction" is derived from two main terms:
1. "Splenic" refers to the spleen, which is a highly vascular organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen. The term "splenic" comes from the Latin word "splen" or "splenem", which originated from the Greek word "splḗn", meaning spleen.
2. "Infarction" is a medical term used to describe a condition where there is an obstruction of blood supply to a certain area, resulting in tissue death or necrosis. The word "infarction" comes from the Latin word "infarctus", which means "stuffed into".
When combined, the term "splenic infarction" refers to the death or necrosis of a portion of the spleen due to an obstruction of its blood supply.