Definition

1. Noun:
   • A narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal: In biology and medicine, "coarctation" refers to the condition of being abnormally narrowed or constricted, particularly of a tubular structure like a blood vessel.
   • A congenital narrowing of the aorta: Specifically, it often denotes a congenital heart defect where a segment of the aorta is narrowed, impeding blood flow.
   • Tight or narrow compression: A more general sense referring to the act or result of pressing something tightly together, making it narrow.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The echocardiogram revealed a coarctation of the aorta in the newborn.
  • Surgical repair is often necessary for a severe aortic coarctation.
  • The coarctation of the vessel led to increased pressure upstream.

Advanced Usage

• "Coarctation of the aorta": A specific medical term for a congenital condition where the aorta is narrowed.
  • Coarctation of the aorta is usually diagnosed in infancy or childhood.

Variants and Related Words

• Coarctate (adj): Pressed or drawn together; contracted. (Primarily a technical/biological term).
  • The coarctate pupa is a stage in some insect development.

Synonyms

• Stenosis: Abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage or duct.
• Constriction: The action of making something narrower by pressure or squeezing; a place where this happens.
• Stricture: A restriction or narrowing, especially of a tube or duct in the body.

Antonyms

• Dilation: The action of becoming wider, larger, or more open.
• Expansion: The action of becoming larger or more extensive.

Notes

• "Coarctation" is a highly specialized term used predominantly in medical and biological contexts. Its general meaning of "compression" is rare in everyday language.

Noun

1. (biology) a narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal; especially a congenital narrowing of the aorta
2. tight or narrow compression