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Glite Dictionary
anasarca

anasarca

9.9
Severe swelling all over the body when fluid collects under the skin
  • noun
  • /ˌænəˈsɑrkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anasarca
  • The patient was diagnosed with anasarca, causing her body to swell dramatically due to excess fluid retention.

Examples

  • These techniques may be helpful in selected patients with severe anasarca because they may help achieve a negative fluid balance without causing hypotension.

    Academic text (2003)

  • After the surgery, he developed anasarca, prompting the doctors to monitor his fluid levels closely.

  • Recognizing the signs of anasarca, the nurse quickly informed the physician about the patient's worsening condition.

How Swollen

anasarca
  • Specialized
9.9
edema
  • Specialized
32 8.0
swelling
3 3.7

Surface Forms

anasarca singular
anasarcas plural

Morphology

anasarca = ana + sarc + a

A learned medical formation from Greek combining forms that are not productive standalone English words, so an average B1 learner cannot derive 'generalized edema' from the components.

Etymology

Anasarca comes from Greek parts ana- meaning 'throughout' and sarkē meaning 'flesh'. So anasarca is swelling of the 'flesh' that happens 'throughout' the body, which is why it means a severe whole-body swelling.