portal hypertension
Noun: A medical condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure within the portal venous system. This system carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. The hypertension is caused by an obstruction or increased resistance to blood flow within the liver, often due to scarring (cirrhosis).
This is a specific medical term used primarily in healthcare, clinical, and academic contexts to diagnose and describe a complication of liver disease. * The patient's cirrhosis led to the development of portal hypertension. * A key symptom of portal hypertension is the development of varices (enlarged veins). * The doctor ordered an ultrasound to assess for signs of portal hypertension.
- The term is often discussed in relation to its sequelae (consequences), such as ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), and the formation of portosystemic collaterals (alternative blood vessels).
- Management of portal hypertension focuses on treating the underlying liver disease and preventing complications like bleeding from esophageal varices.
- Portal vein pressure: A more general term for the blood pressure measurement within the portal vein, which is elevated in portal hypertension.
- Portosystemic hypertension: A synonym occasionally used, emphasizing the pressure between the portal and systemic circulatory systems.
- Idiopathic portal hypertension: A rare form where the cause of the increased pressure is unknown.
- Portosystemic hypertension
- Increased portal venous pressure
- Complication of portal hypertension: Refers to the resulting health issues like variceal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy.
- Medical management of portal hypertension: Describes the treatment strategies, including medications (beta-blockers) and procedures.
This is a compound noun. The core target word is the full term "portal hypertension." It is not typically broken into separate phrasal verbs or idioms. Its meaning is fixed within medical terminology.
- increase in blood pressure in the veins of the portal system caused by obstruction in the liver (often associated with alcoholic cirrhosis), causing enlargement of the spleen and collateral veins