marrow

Definition

The soft, fatty tissue inside bones that produces blood cells; also, a large cylindrical vegetable similar to a zucchini.

Example Usage

The bone marrow transplant gave the patient a second chance at life.

Origin

Old English 'mearg,' from Proto-Germanic 'mark-,' related to Old Norse 'mergr'; the vegetable sense is from the squash plant's similarity to bone marrow.

Fun Fact

Bone marrow contains stem cells that can develop into any type of blood cell, making it crucial for immune function and oxygen transport.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

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adventitious

In medical terminology, something that appears in your body where it has no business being—acquired rather than congenital, like an unwelcome houseguest who wasn't there when you were born. This fancy Latin term helps doctors sound sophisticated when explaining that yes, that's abnormal, and no, you weren't born with it. Think of it as the medical equivalent of calling something a 'late arrival' instead of 'surprise problem.'

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unwell

In a state of poor physical or mental health; not feeling good, either literally sick or emotionally troubled.

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tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing, when your respiratory rate decides to run a sprint without consulting you first. It's the body's panic button for 'we need more oxygen, stat.'

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Iatrogenic

A condition caused by the medical treatment itself, which is the healthcare equivalent of calling a plumber and ending up with a flooded house. The word doctors use when the cure is technically the problem.

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Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can kill within minutes. Your immune system's catastrophic overreaction to something relatively harmless, like a bouncer who brings a bazooka to a ticketless teenager.

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Aneurysm

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

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