cold gangrene
- noun
- /koʊld ˈɡæŋɡriːn/
- Specialized
- The surgeon diagnosed the patient with cold gangrene after noting the dry, dark brown tissue on his foot.
Examples
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Unlike wet gangrene, cold gangrene is not associated with significant infection or pus formation.
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Cold gangrene typically occurs in individuals with severe arterial disease, especially in the lower limbs.
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The doctor diagnosed him with cold gangrene.
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She learned that cold gangrene can result from poor circulation.
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Cold gangrene occurs when blood flow to a part of the body is severely restricted, leading to dead tissue.
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The physician confirmed that the patient was suffering from cold gangrene due to narrowed arteries in his legs.
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After examining the affected area, the nurse noted signs of cold gangrene, characterized by dry, dark brown skin.
Synonyms
1
8.9
To become dead tissue because of infection or loss of blood
1
8.3
Dead skin and flesh that become dry and dark when blood flow stops, often in a toe or foot
Dead dry dark tissue on a body part that blood cannot reach
A type of gangrene where tissue becomes dry, shriveled, and dark from poor blood flow
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward modifier + noun combination: 'cold' describes a type of 'gangrene', so a learner who knows both words can infer it is gangrene associated with cold conditions. Although clinical specifics (arterial obstruction, dry dark tissue) are specialized, the basic sense of a kind of gangrene linked to cold is directly derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
Cold gangrene is named for the way the injured area looks and feels: cold because the part loses warmth, and gangrene meaning 'dead tissue'. So the name refers to body tissue that becomes dry, dark and cold because 'no blood flow' reaches it.