The correct spelling of the medical term "Surgical Valve" is /ˈsɜːrdʒɪkəl vælv/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "ur" sound represented by the IPA symbol /ɜː/, while the second syllable has a soft "g" sound represented by /dʒ/. The second word is pronounced with a short "a" sound represented by /æ/ and the final syllable ends with a long "u" sound represented by /v/. This term refers to a valve that is implanted surgically to correct a heart condition.
A surgical valve refers to an artificial valve that is surgically implanted within the heart during a medical procedure known as valve replacement surgery. The purpose of this valve is to substitute a damaged or diseased heart valve, thereby restoring normal blood flow within the heart chambers.
A surgical valve is typically made of biocompatible materials such as synthetic materials or animal tissues. There are several types of surgical valves available, including mechanical valves, tissue valves, and transcatheter valves. Mechanical valves are typically composed of durable materials like titanium or carbon and are designed to last for a long time. Tissue valves, also known as biological valves, are made from animal tissues such as pig tissue or bovine pericardial tissue. These valves are less durable than mechanical valves but generally do not require lifelong anticoagulant therapy. Transcatheter valves, on the other hand, are inserted through a catheter and deployed within the heart, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery.
Surgical valves are used when a patient's heart valve dysfunction cannot be adequately treated using medication or less invasive procedures. This may be due to severe valve damage, regurgitation (the backward flow of blood), or stenosis (narrowing of the valve opening). Overall, the implantation of a surgical valve aims to alleviate symptoms, improve cardiac function, and enhance the patient's quality of life.
The term "surgical valve" does not have a distinct etymology on its own because it is a combination of two words: "surgical" and "valve".
1. "Surgical" originates from the Latin word "surgicalis", which means "of or pertaining to surgery". It is derived from the Latin word "surgery" (\surgicalis: chirurgicus\), meaning "the art of healing", and ultimately from the Greek word "kheirourgia" (kheir: hand + ergon: work). The term "surgery" refers to medical procedures that involve manual or instrumental techniques to treat various conditions.
2. "Valve" has a separate etymology. The word comes from the Latin "valva", which means "folding door" or "hinged cover".