stenosis

Intermediate 🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Definition

Abnormal narrowing of blood vessels or other tubular structures in the body, like a traffic jam in your cardiovascular highway. It's constriction that causes problems downstream.

Example Usage

Aortic stenosis restricts blood flow from the heart, causing chest pain and requiring valve replacement in severe cases.

Origin

From Greek 'stenos' meaning 'narrow,' adopted into medical terminology in the 19th century.

Fun Fact

Stenosis can occur almost anywhere in the body—arteries, spinal canal, heart valves—proving that plumbing problems aren't just for houses.

Source: Cardiovascular and anatomical terminology

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