Aneurysm

Intermediate 🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Definition

A weakened bulge in an artery wall—basically, your blood vessel has developed an embarrassing weakness and might rupture catastrophically without warning.

Example Usage

A 5cm abdominal aortic aneurysm was discovered on imaging and required surgical repair.

Origin

From Greek 'aneurysma' (dilation)

Fun Fact

Most aneurysms cause no symptoms until they rupture, at which point you have maybe 2-3 hours before you die without emergency surgery.

Source: Vascular surgery; Radiology standards

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