aneurysm
aneurysm (an-yoor-izm) n. an abnormal balloon-like swelling in the wall of an artery, due to disease or congenital deficiency. aortic a. an aneurysm that most frequently occurs in the abdominal aorta, below the level of the renal arteries (abdominal aortic a., AAA). Beyond a certain size it is prone to rupture: an acute surgical emergency. arteriovenous a. a direct communication between an artery and vein, without an intervening capillary bed. berry a. a small saccular aneurysm commonly affecting branches of the circle of Willis in the brain. Usually associated with congenital weakness of the vessels, they are a cause of cerebral haemorrhage in young adults. Charcot-Bouchard a. a small aneurysm found within the brain of elderly and hypertensive subjects. Such aneurysms may rupture, causing cerebral haemorrhage. dissecting a. a condition in which a tear occurs in the lining of (usually) the first part of the aorta, which allows blood to enter the wall and track along (dissect) the muscular coat. A dissecting aneurysm may rupture or it may compress the blood vessels arising from the aorta and produce infarction (localized necrosis) in the organs they supply. ventricular a. a condition that may develop in the wall of the left ventricle after myocardial infarction. Heart failure may result or thrombosis within the aneurysm may act as a source of embolism.
—aneurysmal adj.
—aneurysmal adj.
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aneurysm