megalocardia

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megalocardia

An X-ray shows a patient's mild megalocardia.

Definition

Noun: * An abnormal enlargement of the heart. This is a medical term for a condition where the heart is larger than its normal size, which can be a sign of underlying disease or, in some cases, a physiological adaptation.

Usage
  • The term "megalocardia" is used specifically in medical contexts to describe the physical finding of an enlarged heart, often identified through imaging like an X-ray or echocardiogram.
  • It is a clinical sign, not a disease itself, and indicates the need for further investigation into the cause.
Examples
  • The chest X-ray revealed significant megalocardia, prompting a referral to a cardiologist.
  • While megalocardia is often pathological, a mild form can be a benign finding in well-trained endurance athletes.
Advanced Usage
  • The term is synonymous with cardiomegaly. "Megalocardia" is derived from Greek roots ( meaning "large" and meaning "heart"), while "cardiomegaly" uses a combination of Greek () and Latin () roots. They are used interchangeably in medical literature.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cardiomegaly (n): The direct synonym for megalocardia; abnormal enlargement of the heart.
  • Megacardia (n): A less common variant spelling with the same meaning.
Synonyms
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Enlarged heart
Antonyms
  • Microcardia (abnormal smallness of the heart)
megalocardia

An X-ray shows a patient's mild megalocardia.

Noun
  1. an abnormal enlargement of the heart
    • mild cardiomegaly is common in athletes