Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition involving narrowing of the pyloric sphincter: Pyloric stenosis is a disorder that obstructs the normal flow of food from the stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). This narrowing is caused by an abnormal thickening (hypertrophy) of the muscle surrounding the pylorus.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The infant was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis after persistent projectile vomiting.
  • Surgery is often required to correct pyloric stenosis.
  • The main symptom of pyloric stenosis is forceful vomiting shortly after feeding.

Advanced Usage

• "idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis": This is the full medical term for the condition, emphasizing that the cause is unknown ("idiopathic") and involves muscle thickening ("hypertrophic").
  • The standard treatment for idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a surgical procedure called a pyloromyotomy.

Variants and Related Words

• Pylorus (n): The region of the stomach that connects to the duodenum, containing the pyloric sphincter.
  • The pylorus acts as a valve controlling the passage of chyme from the stomach.
• Stenosis (n): The abnormal narrowing of a passage or opening in the body.
  • Spinal stenosis can cause pain and numbness in the legs.
• Pyloromyotomy (n): The surgical procedure to treat pyloric stenosis by cutting the thickened muscle.
  • The pyloromyotomy was successful, and the baby began to feed normally.

Synonyms

• Gastric outlet obstruction: A broader term for any blockage at the stomach's exit, which can be caused by pyloric stenosis or other conditions.

Related Medical Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Hypertrophy (n): The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in size of its cells.
  • Muscle hypertrophy is the goal of strength training.
• Projectile vomiting (n): Vomiting that is forceful and shoots out, a hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis.
  • Parents should consult a doctor if their baby experiences projectile vomiting.

Noun

1. narrowing of the pyloric sphincter that blocks the passage of food from the stomach into the duodenum