Definition

Noun: The development of an excessive amount of fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue, often as a reparative or reactive process.

Usage

"Fibrosis" is a medical term used to describe a pathological condition where normal tissue is replaced by scar tissue. This process can impair the function of the affected organ. It is typically used as a non-count noun.

Examples

• The patient's lung scan revealed significant fibrosis.
• Chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis of the liver.
• The disease is characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs.

Advanced Usage

• Cystic Fibrosis: A specific, inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs due to thick, sticky mucus and related fibrotic changes. (This is a proper noun compound).
• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to modify other nouns, e.g., fibrosis development, fibrosis progression.

Variants and Related Words

• Fibrotic (adjective): Pertaining to or characterized by fibrosis.
  • The biopsy showed fibrotic tissue.
• Myofibrosis: Fibrosis specifically of muscle tissue.
• Pulmonary Fibrosis: Fibrosis occurring in the lungs.

Synonyms

• Scarring
• Sclerosis (in some contexts, though sclerosis often implies hardening)

Different Meanings

The core meaning of "fibrosis" is consistent within medical and biological contexts. It does not have common non-medical meanings.

Idioms / Common Phrases

There are no common idioms using the word "fibrosis." It is a technical medical term.

Noun

1. development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ