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phlegmon

phlegmon

9.9
A spreading painful swelling in soft body tissue from an infection
  • noun
  • /ˈflɛɡmən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flegmón
  • The doctor diagnosed him with phlegmon after observing the inflammation in his soft tissue.

Examples

  • Hospital admission was usually prompted by a sudden worsening of cervical phlegmon, along with general deterioration and hyperpyrexia.

    Academic text (2004)
  • We report the findings of a four 10-year study of 21 patients affected by phlegmon and/or fasciitis of the neck.

    Academic text (2004)
  • After a week of worsening pain, she was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a cervical phlegmon.

  • The patient developed a serious phlegmon that required surgical intervention to prevent further infection.

Compounds

An infection caused by bacteria that quickly destroys soft tissue and makes gas in it

9.9

A serious fast-spreading infection caused by bacteria that makes gas in body tissues and can kill people

How Severe

phlegmon
  • Specialized
9.9
abscess
  • Specialized
23 7.5
cellulitis
  • Specialized
4 7.5
infection
  • Specialized
594 3.1
inflammation
  • Specialized
53 3.7

Surface Forms

phlegmon singular
phlegmons plural

Etymology

Phlegmon comes from the Greek phlegma 'inflammation' and phlegein 'to burn'. It is related to the English word phlegm, which now means the thick mucus from your chest. Think of a phlegmon as a 'burning' swelling that spreads through soft tissue, which is why it means a spreading inflammation rather than a single area.