Definition

Noun: * Inability of a bodily valve to close completely: A medical condition where a valve in the body (especially in the heart or veins) fails to shut properly, allowing fluid (such as blood) to leak backward (regurgitate) when it should be flowing forward.

Usage

• "Valvular incompetence" is a technical medical term used primarily by healthcare professionals.
• It describes the functional failure of a valve, not its physical structure. The valve itself may be malformed, damaged, or weakened.
• It is often specified by the valve affected (e.g., , ).

Examples

• The echocardiogram confirmed valvular incompetence, explaining the patient's heart murmur.
• Chronic valvular incompetence in the leg veins can lead to varicose veins and swelling.
• Treatment for severe valvular incompetence may involve surgical repair or replacement of the valve.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used interchangeably with valvular regurgitation, though "incompetence" refers to the valve's failure of function, while "regurgitation" describes the resulting backward flow of blood.
• It can be graded as , , or based on the amount of leakage.

Variants and Related Words

• Valvular Regurgitation (n.): The backward flow of fluid through an incompetent valve. (e.g., ).
• Valvular Stenosis (n.): The opposite condition, where a valve fails to open fully, obstructing forward flow.
• Incompetent (adj.): Used to describe the valve itself (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Valvular regurgitation
• Valve leakage
• Valvular insufficiency (often used synonymously, particularly for heart valves)

Antonyms

• Valvular competence
• Valvular sufficiency

Noun

1. inability of a bodily valve to close completely