Raynaud's sign
- noun
- /reɪˈnoʊz saɪn/
- Specialized
:
signo de Raynaud
- After being outside in the cold, she noticed Raynaud's sign as her fingers turned bluish and numb.
Examples
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The doctor noted Raynaud's sign in several of the patient's fingers after exposure to cold.
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He often experiences Raynaud's sign during winter months.
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If you experience Raynaud's sign, it's important to protect your hands from extreme temperatures.
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Persistent Raynaud's sign may be an indicator of an underlying vascular condition.
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The doctor diagnosed her with Raynaud's sign after observing her symptoms.
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The nurse explained that Raynaud's sign could indicate circulation problems, especially when triggered by stress.
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If you frequently see Raynaud's sign, consult a doctor to discuss potential treatments and lifestyle changes.
Synonyms
3
8.0
A blue colour on the skin and lips because there is not enough oxygen in the blood
A blue colour on the fingers or toes when blood flow is poor
Surface Forms
Morphology
Raynaud's + sign
‘Raynaud’s’ is an eponym (a proper name) that carries no descriptive meaning about symptoms for a learner, while ‘sign’ only indicates a medical observable. A B1 learner who knows the words would know this is a named medical sign but could not derive the specific meaning (bluish finger/toe discoloration from vessel spasms) without prior exposure, so the expression is opaque.
Etymology
The name Raynaud's sign comes from a French doctor, Maurice Raynaud, who saw fingers and toes turn white or blue in the cold when small blood vessels tightened. The word sign means a 'change you can see', so Raynaud's sign refers to that change in the color of fingers or toes.