Definition

1. 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

1. act or process of forming fibrils
2. muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination