Word: Miliary Tuberculosis
Definition:
Miliary tuberculosis is a serious form of tuberculosis (TB), which is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In miliary tuberculosis, tiny round lumps called tubercles appear in various organs of the body, like the lungs, liver, or spleen. This happens when the bacteria spread through the bloodstream.
Usage Instructions:
- Use "miliary tuberculosis" when discussing medical conditions, particularly in relation to TB. - It is often used in a clinical or health context.
Example Sentence:
"The patient was diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis after showing symptoms of fever and weight loss."
Advanced Usage:
In medical literature, you might encounter phrases like "the dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis leading to miliary tuberculosis" or "patients with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for developing miliary tuberculosis."
Word Variants:
- Miliary (adjective): Referring to the small, millet seed-like appearance of the tubercles. - Tuberculosis (noun): The general term for the disease caused by the tuberculosis bacteria.
Different Meanings:
- "Miliary" can also refer to something that resembles millet seeds in size or appearance, but in the context of health, it usually relates to the tiny tubercles seen in miliary tuberculosis.
Synonyms:
- Disseminated tuberculosis - Systemic tuberculosis (though this is less commonly used)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "miliary tuberculosis." However, you might hear the phrase "come down with" (to become ill with) used in conversation, for example, "He came down with miliary tuberculosis after traveling abroad."
Conclusion:
Miliary tuberculosis is a specific and serious form of tuberculosis characterized by small tubercles in various organs.