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Glite Dictionary
pseudomembranous

pseudomembranous

1 9.9
Body tissue that has a thin false layer on its surface often from infection
  • adjective
  • /ˌsuːdoʊˈmɛmbrənəs/
  • Specialized
: pseudomembranoso
  • Approximately 10% of those with these complaints develop pseudomembranous colitis, which is caused by enterotoxin-producing Clostridium difficile.

Examples

  • Reports early in the AIDS epidemic suggested a frequent concurrence of pseudomembranous oral candidosis and oesophageal candidosis, an AIDS diagnosis.

    Academic text (2000)

  • In cases of pseudomembranous colitis, patients often experience severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

  • This type is easily missed, but it is just as important a marker of the progression of HIV infection as the more obvious pseudomembranous form.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The biopsy revealed pseudomembranous tissue, indicating that the patient had likely contracted an infection.

  • Doctors found pseudomembranous lesions in the patient's throat, which were symptomatic of a fungal infection.

Surface Forms

pseudomembranous positive

Morphology

pseudomembranous = membranous (transparent) = pseudo + membran + ous

The word is formed by adding pseudo- to membranous, giving the clear sense of 'false membrane-like'.

Etymology

Pseudomembranous breaks into pseudo- meaning 'false' and membrane meaning 'a thin layer or skin'. So, pseudomembranous describes tissue that has a 'false' membrane — a layer that looks like a real covering but is not, often forming because of infection.