fibrillation
/,faibri'leiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A rapid, irregular, and unsynchronized contraction of individual muscle fibers, particularly in the heart: This is the primary medical meaning, describing a condition where muscle fibers contract independently and chaotically instead of in a coordinated manner.
- The act or process of forming fibrils (very fine fibers or threads): This is a more general scientific meaning, referring to the development of fine, thread-like structures.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Medical):
- Atrial fibrillation is a common type of heart arrhythmia.
- The patient was diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening condition.
- Noun (General/Scientific):
- The fibrillation of the protein solution was observed under the microscope.
Advanced Usage
- "Atrial fibrillation (AFib)": A specific, common condition where the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly.
- His atrial fibrillation was managed with medication.
- "Ventricular fibrillation (VFib)": A serious cardiac arrhythmia where the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood.
- Ventricular fibrillation requires immediate defibrillation to restore a normal rhythm.
Variants and Related Words
- Fibrillate (verb): To undergo or cause fibrillation.
- The heart muscle began to fibrillate.
- Fibril (noun): A small or slender fiber or filament.
- Collagen fibrils provide structural support.
- Defibrillation (noun): The stopping of fibrillation of the heart, typically by using an electric shock.
- The paramedic performed emergency defibrillation.
Synonyms
- Arrhythmia (specifically for the medical sense): An irregular heartbeat.
- Quivering (descriptive synonym for the muscular action).
- Twitching (for uncoordinated muscular activity).
Related Phrases
- Cardiac fibrillation: Fibrillation specifically of the heart muscle.
- The monitor showed signs of cardiac fibrillation.
- Muscle fibrillation: Fine, spontaneous twitching of individual muscle fibers.
- Muscle fibrillation can be a sign of nerve damage.
Related Idioms
(This term is highly technical and scientific; it is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)
Noun
- act or process of forming fibrils
- muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination