Surface area
Surface Area
Surface area (/ˈsɜːrfɪs ˈɛəriə/) is a measure of the total area that the surface of an object occupies. It is a fundamental concept in geometry and calculus, and has important applications in a variety of fields, including medicine.
Etymology
The term "surface area" comes from the Latin superficies, meaning "surface", and area, which has its roots in the Latin area, meaning "open space" or "clearing".
Definition
In mathematics, the surface area of a solid object is a measure of the total area that the surface of the object occupies. It is often expressed in square units, such as square centimeters (cm^2) or square meters (m^2).
In the context of medicine, surface area can refer to the total area of the external surface of the body (known as the body surface area, or BSA), or to the surface area of a specific organ or tissue. The surface area of the human body, for example, is used in the calculation of drug dosages and the assessment of burns.
Calculation
The calculation of surface area depends on the shape of the object. For simple shapes, such as a cube or sphere, formulas exist that allow for easy calculation. For more complex shapes, such as the human body, surface area is often estimated using mathematical models.
Related Terms
- Volume: The amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container.
- Area: The quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional figure or shape in the plane.
- Body Surface Area (BSA): The total area of the human body. It is used in many medical measurements, including drug dosage calculations and the assessment of burns.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Surface area
- Wikipedia's article - Surface area
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