Blockage
Blockage
Blockage (/ˈblɒkɪdʒ/), also known as obstruction, is a medical term referring to the interruption or hindrance in the passage or flow of a structure within the body.
Etymology
The term "blockage" originates from the Middle English word "blok", meaning a log or stump, and the suffix "-age", which denotes an action or a resulting state.
Definition
In medical context, a blockage refers to a condition where the normal flow of bodily fluids or substances is obstructed. This can occur in various parts of the body, such as the arteries, veins, digestive tract, respiratory system, and urinary tract.
Types of Blockages
- Arterial Blockage: This occurs when plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries, narrowing the passage and reducing blood flow. This can lead to conditions like coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease.
- Venous Blockage: This refers to a blockage in the veins, often caused by a blood clot. This can result in conditions like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
- Digestive Tract Blockage: Also known as a bowel obstruction, this occurs when the normal flow of digestive materials is blocked. This can be caused by various conditions, such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, and colon cancer.
- Respiratory System Blockage: This can occur when the airways are obstructed, leading to conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis.
- Urinary Tract Blockage: This refers to a blockage in the urinary tract, which can be caused by conditions like kidney stones, bladder stones, and prostate enlargement.
Related Terms
- Stenosis: A narrowing of a passage in the body.
- Embolism: A blockage or obstruction in a blood vessel, typically by a blood clot or an air bubble.
- Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blockage
- Wikipedia's article - Blockage
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski