PLETHYSMOGRAPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Plethysmography is a medical and scientific technique used to measure changes in volume within a specific part of the body. It is primarily employed to assess blood flow, changes in tissue volume, and respiratory function.
In the field of vascular medicine, plethysmography is commonly used to evaluate blood circulation and diagnose conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and arterial insufficiency. This technique involves the use of a device known as a plethysmograph, which consists of a pressure-sensing cuff or probe that is wrapped around a limb or digit. The cuff measures changes in volume caused by blood flow and relays this information to a computer for analysis.
Plethysmography is also frequently used in respiratory medicine to evaluate lung function. It can measure changes in thoracic volume during the respiratory cycle, helping to diagnose and monitor conditions such as obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, and sleep apnea. This is typically done using a body plethysmograph, a sealed chamber where the patient breathes in and out while the pressure changes within the chamber are measured.
Overall, plethysmography is a versatile technique that provides valuable insights into the function and health of various body systems. It allows healthcare professionals to accurately evaluate blood circulation, tissue volume changes, and respiratory function, aiding in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of a wide range of medical conditions.
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The determination of the varying size of an organ according to the amount of blood it contains.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PLETHYSMOGRAPHY
- olethysmography
- llethysmography
- -lethysmography
- 0lethysmography
- pkethysmography
- ppethysmography
- poethysmography
- plwthysmography
- plsthysmography
- pldthysmography
- plrthysmography
- pl4thysmography
- pl3thysmography
- plerhysmography
- plefhysmography
- pleghysmography
- pleyhysmography
- ple6hysmography
- ple5hysmography
- pletgysmography
Etymology of PLETHYSMOGRAPHY
The word "plethysmography" is derived from the Greek roots "plethysmos" (πλήθυσμος) meaning "increase" or "swelling", and "graphē" (γραφή) meaning "writing" or "measurements".
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