Definition

Noun: * Inflammation of a valve: A medical condition characterized by the inflammation of a valve, particularly a valve of the heart. This is often a consequence of certain diseases, such as rheumatic fever.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The patient was diagnosed with valvulitis following a severe case of strep throat.
  • Rheumatic fever can lead to valvulitis, which may damage the heart valves.
  • The cardiologist ordered an echocardiogram to assess the severity of the valvulitis.

Advanced Usage

• Specific Valve Involvement: The term is often modified to specify which heart valve is affected.
  • Mitral valvulitis is a common finding in rheumatic heart disease.
  • The ultrasound showed signs of aortic valvulitis.

Variants and Related Words

• Valvular (adj): Pertaining to or affecting a valve, especially a heart valve.
  • The patient has a valvular heart disorder.
• Endocarditis (n): Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. Valvulitis is often a component of endocarditis.
  • Infective endocarditis frequently involves valvulitis.

Synonyms

• Valve inflammation: A direct, descriptive synonym.
• Carditis (n): A broader term for inflammation of the heart. Valvulitis is a specific type of carditis.

Notes on Meaning

This is a specialized medical term. Its primary and almost exclusive use is in medical contexts to describe a pathological condition of heart valves. It is not used in everyday conversation.

Noun

1. inflammation of a valve (especially of a cardiac valve as a consequence of rheumatic fever)