Medical Glossary

This glossary contains:
19186
medical terms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm




Abdominal aortic aneurysm

A ballooning or widening of the main artery (the aorta) as it courses down through the abdomen. At the point of the aneurysm, the aneurysm usually measures 3 cm or more in diameter. The aneurysm weakens the wall of the aorta and can end in the aorta rupturing with catastrophic consequences. As the diameter of the aorta increases, the chances of an AAA rupturing rise. A measurement of 5 cm is often used to recommend surgery. Persons with AAA tend to be 60 or over. Men are 5 times more likely than women to have an AAA.

RELATED TERMS
--------------------------------------

Artery
A blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body.

Abdomen
The area between the chest and the hips. Contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

Aneurysm
A weakness in the blood vessel wall that balloons out and may rupture at some point. Aneurysms rarely cause symptoms before the rupture, unless they are large. They do not mimic the symptoms of migraine or cluster headache. It is vital to discover them before they rupture and have catastrophic consequences such as paralysis or death.

Aorta
The largest artery in the body and the primary blood vessel leading from the heart to the body.

Surgery
Treating diseases or other medical conditions by operating on a patient to remove or repair parts of the body.



SIMILAR TERMS
--------------------------------------

Abdomen
The area between the chest and the hips. Contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

Abdominal
Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the chest and the pelvis. The abdomen is separated anatomically from the chest by the diaphragm, the powerful muscle spanning the body cavity below the lungs. The abdomen includes a host of organs including the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, appendix, gallbladder, and bladder. The word "abdomen" has a curious story behind it. It comes from the Latin "abdodere", to hide. The idea was that whatever was eaten was hidden in the abdomen.

Abdominal aneurysm
An aneurysm situated within the abdomen (belly). An aneurysm is a localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, vein, or the heart. At the area of an aneurysm, there is typically a bulge and the wall is weakened and may rupture. The word "aneurysm" comes from the Greek "aneurysma" meaning "a widening." An aneurysm may involve the aorta, the largest artery in the body, as it courses down through the abdomen. Because of the great volume of blood flowing under high pressure in the aorta, rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a surefire catastrophe.

Abdominal aorta
The abdominal aorta is the final section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It is a continuation of the thoracic aorta. It begins at the diaphragm, and runs down to the point where it ends (by splitting in two to form the common iliac arteries). The abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to all of the abdominal and pelvic organs and the legs. Like the other sections of the aorta (the ascending aorta, aortic arch and thoracic aorta), the abdominal aorta is an arbitrary anatomic entity. The aorta is one continuous conduit that arises out of the left ventricle of the heart to carry blood to the body. Nonetheless, the abdominal aorta is a hallowed and convenient subdivision of the aorta. The abdominal aorta is also known in medical Latin as the aorta abdominalis or the pars abdominalis aortae (under which it is often hidden in standard print medical dictionaries).

Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound
A non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the structures of the abdomen and determine the presence of an aneurysm

Abdominal bracing
Technique of tensing the stomach muscles to support the spine.

Abdominal cavity
The cavity within the abdomen, the space between the abdominal wall and the spine. The abdominal cavity is hardly an empty space. It contains a number of crucial organs including the lower part of the esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder.

Abdominal guarding
Tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them. The tensing is detected when the abdomen wall is pressed. Guarding is a characteristic finding in the physical examination for an abruptly painful abdomen (an acute abdomen) with inflammation of the inner abdominal (peritoneal) surface due, for example, to appendicitis or diverticulitis. The tensed muscles of the abdominal wall automatically go into spasm to keep the tender underlying tissues from being touched.

Abdominal hysterectomy
The uterus is removed through the abdomen via a surgical incision.

Abdominal muscle deficiency syndrome
Partial or complete absence of the abdominal muscles so that the outlines of the intestines are visible through the thin, lax, protruding abdominal wall. Also called the "prune belly syndrome." The full syndrome probably occurs only in males. In addition to the abdominal muscle deficiency, there are genital and urinary abnormalities including dilation (widening) of the urinary tract and cryptorchidism (failure for the testes to descend into the scrotum). There is also a form of abdominal muscle deficiency that is associated with narrowing (stenosis) of the pulmonary artery, mental retardation and deafness. It occurs in both boys and girls.

Abdominal muscles
A large group of muscles in the front of the abdomen that assists in the regular breathing movement and supports the muscles of the spine while lifting and keeping abdominal organs such as the intestines in place. Abdominal muscles play a key role in exercises such as "sit-ups." They are informally called the "abs".

Abdominal pain
Pain in the belly (the abdomen). Abdominal pain can come from conditions affecting a variety of organs. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity (from beneath the skin and muscles). These organs include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.



PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS
--------------------------------------

ABCD rating
A staging system for prostate cancer. See the Jewett staging system.

Acute abdomen
The abrupt (acute) onset of abdominal pain. A potential medical emergency, an acute abdomen may reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix (being inflamed = appendicitis), the gallbladder (inflamed = cholecystitis), the intestine (an ulcer that has perforated), the spleen (that has ruptured), etc. The term "acute abdomen" is medical shorthand. It has nonetheless come into common usage in medical parlance.

Abdominal
Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the chest and the pelvis. The abdomen is separated anatomically from the chest by the diaphragm, the powerful muscle spanning the body cavity below the lungs. The abdomen includes a host of organs including the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, appendix, gallbladder, and bladder. The word "abdomen" has a curious story behind it. It comes from the Latin "abdodere", to hide. The idea was that whatever was eaten was hidden in the abdomen.

Abdominal aneurysm
An aneurysm situated within the abdomen (belly). An aneurysm is a localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, vein, or the heart. At the area of an aneurysm, there is typically a bulge and the wall is weakened and may rupture. The word "aneurysm" comes from the Greek "aneurysma" meaning "a widening." An aneurysm may involve the aorta, the largest artery in the body, as it courses down through the abdomen. Because of the great volume of blood flowing under high pressure in the aorta, rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a surefire catastrophe.

Abdominal aorta
The abdominal aorta is the final section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It is a continuation of the thoracic aorta. It begins at the diaphragm, and runs down to the point where it ends (by splitting in two to form the common iliac arteries). The abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to all of the abdominal and pelvic organs and the legs. Like the other sections of the aorta (the ascending aorta, aortic arch and thoracic aorta), the abdominal aorta is an arbitrary anatomic entity. The aorta is one continuous conduit that arises out of the left ventricle of the heart to carry blood to the body. Nonetheless, the abdominal aorta is a hallowed and convenient subdivision of the aorta. The abdominal aorta is also known in medical Latin as the aorta abdominalis or the pars abdominalis aortae (under which it is often hidden in standard print medical dictionaries).

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal cavity
The cavity within the abdomen, the space between the abdominal wall and the spine. The abdominal cavity is hardly an empty space. It contains a number of crucial organs including the lower part of the esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder.

Abdominal guarding
Tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them. The tensing is detected when the abdomen wall is pressed. Guarding is a characteristic finding in the physical examination for an abruptly painful abdomen (an acute abdomen) with inflammation of the inner abdominal (peritoneal) surface due, for example, to appendicitis or diverticulitis. The tensed muscles of the abdominal wall automatically go into spasm to keep the tender underlying tissues from being touched.

Abdominal muscle deficiency syndrome
Partial or complete absence of the abdominal muscles so that the outlines of the intestines are visible through the thin, lax, protruding abdominal wall. Also called the "prune belly syndrome." The full syndrome probably occurs only in males. In addition to the abdominal muscle deficiency, there are genital and urinary abnormalities including dilation (widening) of the urinary tract and cryptorchidism (failure for the testes to descend into the scrotum). There is also a form of abdominal muscle deficiency that is associated with narrowing (stenosis) of the pulmonary artery, mental retardation and deafness. It occurs in both boys and girls.

Abdominal muscles
A large group of muscles in the front of the abdomen that assists in the regular breathing movement and supports the muscles of the spine while lifting and keeping abdominal organs such as the intestines in place. Abdominal muscles play a key role in exercises such as "sit-ups." They are informally called the "abs".

Abdominal pain
Pain in the belly (the abdomen). Abdominal pain can come from conditions affecting a variety of organs. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity (from beneath the skin and muscles). These organs include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

We thank you for using the Medical Glossary to search for Abdominal aortic aneurysm. If you have a better definition for Abdominal aortic aneurysm than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Abdominal aortic aneurysm may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Abdominal aortic aneurysm and any other medical topic for the public at large.
 

This dictionary contains 19186 terms.







abdominalaorticaneurysm / bdominal aortic aneurysm / adominal aortic aneurysm / abominal aortic aneurysm / abdminal aortic aneurysm / abdoinal aortic aneurysm / abdomnal aortic aneurysm / abdomial aortic aneurysm / abdominl aortic aneurysm / abdomina aortic aneurysm / abdominalaortic aneurysm / abdominal ortic aneurysm / abdominal artic aneurysm / abdominal aotic aneurysm / abdominal aoric aneurysm / abdominal aortc aneurysm / abdominal aorti aneurysm / abdominal aorticaneurysm / abdominal aortic neurysm / abdominal aortic aeurysm / abdominal aortic anurysm / abdominal aortic anerysm / abdominal aortic aneuysm / abdominal aortic aneursm / abdominal aortic aneurym / abdominal aortic aneurys / aabdominal aortic aneurysm / abbdominal aortic aneurysm / abddominal aortic aneurysm / abdoominal aortic aneurysm / abdomminal aortic aneurysm / abdomiinal aortic aneurysm / abdominnal aortic aneurysm / abdominaal aortic aneurysm / abdominall aortic aneurysm / abdominal aortic aneurysm / abdominal aaortic aneurysm / abdominal aoortic aneurysm / abdominal aorrtic aneurysm / abdominal aorttic aneurysm / abdominal aortiic aneurysm / abdominal aorticc aneurysm / abdominal aortic aneurysm / abdominal aortic aaneurysm / abdominal aortic anneurysm / abdominal aortic aneeurysm / abdominal aortic aneuurysm / abdominal aortic aneurrysm / abdominal aortic aneuryysm / abdominal aortic aneuryssm / abdominal aortic aneurysmm / qbdominal aortic aneurysm / wbdominal aortic aneurysm / sbdominal aortic aneurysm / xbdominal aortic aneurysm / zbdominal aortic aneurysm / avdominal aortic aneurysm / afdominal aortic aneurysm / agdominal aortic aneurysm / ahdominal aortic aneurysm / andominal aortic aneurysm / a dominal aortic aneurysm / abeominal aortic aneurysm / abrominal aortic aneurysm / abfominal aortic aneurysm / abvominal aortic aneurysm / abcominal aortic aneurysm / abxominal aortic aneurysm / absominal aortic aneurysm / abwominal aortic aneurysm / abd9minal aortic aneurysm / abd0minal aortic aneurysm / abdpminal aortic aneurysm / abdlminal aortic aneurysm / abdkminal aortic aneurysm / abdiminal aortic aneurysm / abd8minal aortic aneurysm / abdoninal aortic aneurysm / abdojinal aortic aneurysm / abdokinal aortic aneurysm / abdo,inal aortic aneurysm / abdo inal aortic aneurysm / abdomnal aortic aneurysm / abdomibal aortic aneurysm / abdomihal aortic aneurysm / abdomijal aortic aneurysm / abdomimal aortic aneurysm / abdomi al aortic aneurysm / abdominql aortic aneurysm / abdominwl aortic aneurysm / abdominsl aortic aneurysm / abdominxl aortic aneurysm / abdominzl aortic aneurysm / abdominao aortic aneurysm / abdominap aortic aneurysm / abdomina; aortic aneurysm / abdomina. aortic aneurysm / abdomina, aortic aneurysm / abdominak aortic aneurysm / abdominai aortic aneurysm / abdominal qortic aneurysm / abdominal wortic aneurysm / abdominal sortic aneurysm / abdominal xortic aneurysm / abdominal zortic aneurysm / abdominal a9rtic aneurysm / abdominal a0rtic aneurysm / abdominal aprtic aneurysm / abdominal alrtic aneurysm / abdominal akrtic aneurysm / abdominal airtic aneurysm / abdominal a8rtic aneurysm / abdominal ao4tic aneurysm / abdominal ao5tic aneurysm / abdominal aottic aneurysm / abdominal aogtic aneurysm / abdominal aoftic aneurysm / abdominal aodtic aneurysm / abdominal aoetic aneurysm / abdominal ao3tic aneurysm / abdominal aor5ic aneurysm / abdominal aor6ic aneurysm / abdominal aoryic aneurysm / abdominal aorhic aneurysm / abdominal aorgic aneurysm / abdominal aorfic aneurysm / abdominal aorric aneurysm / abdominal aor4ic aneurysm / abdominal aortc aneurysm / abdominal aortix aneurysm / abdominal aortis aneurysm / abdominal aortid aneurysm / abdominal aortif aneurysm / abdominal aortiv aneurysm / abdominal aorti aneurysm / abdominal aortic qneurysm / abdominal aortic wneurysm / abdominal aortic sneurysm / abdominal aortic xneurysm / abdominal aortic zneurysm / abdominal aortic abeurysm / abdominal aortic aheurysm / abdominal aortic ajeurysm / abdominal aortic ameurysm / abdominal aortic a eurysm / abdominal aortic an3urysm / abdominal aortic an4urysm / abdominal aortic anrurysm / abdominal aortic anfurysm / abdominal aortic andurysm / abdominal aortic ansurysm / abdominal aortic anwurysm / abdominal aortic ane7rysm / abdominal aortic ane8rysm / abdominal aortic aneirysm / abdominal aortic anekrysm / abdominal aortic anejrysm / abdominal aortic anehrysm / abdominal aortic aneyrysm / abdominal aortic ane6rysm / abdominal aortic aneu4ysm / abdominal aortic aneu5ysm / abdominal aortic aneutysm / abdominal aortic aneugysm / abdominal aortic aneufysm / abdominal aortic aneudysm / abdominal aortic aneueysm / abdominal aortic aneu3ysm / abdominal aortic aneur6sm / abdominal aortic aneur7sm / abdominal aortic aneurusm / abdominal aortic aneurjsm / abdominal aortic aneurhsm / abdominal aortic aneurgsm / abdominal aortic aneurtsm / abdominal aortic aneur5sm / abdominal aortic aneurywm / abdominal aortic aneuryem / abdominal aortic aneurydm / abdominal aortic aneuryxm / abdominal aortic aneuryzm / abdominal aortic aneuryam / abdominal aortic aneuryqm / abdominal aortic aneurysn / abdominal aortic aneurysj / abdominal aortic aneurysk / abdominal aortic aneurys, / abdominal aortic aneurys /