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overfunction

overfunction

8.6
An organ that works harder to make up for another's weakness
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərˈfʌŋkʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hiperfunción
  • When one gland fails, overfunction of another may help maintain hormone balance.

Examples

  • Chronic overfunction of the remaining kidney can lead to long-term health issues.

  • Doctors monitored the patient's right lung for signs of overfunction after the surgery.

  • The overfunction of the heart can cause fatigue.

  • The overfunction of the pancreas can lead to diabetes.

  • Doctors monitored the patient's right lung for signs of overfunction after the surgery.

  • When one gland fails, overfunction of another may help maintain hormone balance.

  • Chronic overfunction of the remaining kidney can lead to long-term health issues.

Synonyms

overactivity
vsoverfunction
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A body part or process working more than normal

is increased activity specifically used to compensate for reduced function
upregulation
vsoverfunction
  • Specialized
1 7.9

An increase in the amount or activity of something, often in cells

is organ or system level increase made to compensate for reduced function
hyperfunction
vsoverfunction
  • Specialized
8.2

An organ or body system that works more than normal

is increased activity that compensates for reduced function elsewhere

How Active

hyperfunction
  • Specialized
8.2
overfunction
  • Specialized
8.6
normal
1.0

Surface Forms

overfunction singular
overfunctions plural

Morphology

overfunction = function (transparent) = over + function

Clear combination of the productive prefix 'over-' (excessive) with 'function' (activity), yielding excessive functional activity in a medical sense.

Etymology

Overfunction comes from the parts over- meaning 'too much' and function meaning 'work' or 'activity', like in the familiar word overwork. In medicine it describes an organ that 'works too much' to make up for a failing part, so the origin helps you see that one part is doing extra work to keep the body balanced.