Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition involving abnormal twisting of a loop of intestine: "volvulus" specifically refers to a serious condition where a segment of the intestine twists around itself and the mesentery (the tissue that attaches it to the abdominal wall), leading to a blockage and potential loss of blood supply.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The patient was diagnosed with a sigmoid volvulus and required emergency surgery.
  • Volvulus is a common cause of bowel obstruction in infants.
  • Abdominal pain and distention are classic symptoms of a volvulus.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a volvulus": to be suffering from this specific intestinal condition.
  • The scans confirmed that the newborn had a volvulus.
• "volvulus formation": the process or occurrence of the intestine twisting.
  • The surgeon explained the risk factors for volvulus formation.

Variants and Related Words

• Volvulate (verb, rare/technical): to twist or become twisted in the manner of a volvulus.
  • The bowel segment began to volvulate, causing immediate concern.
• Volvulosis (noun, rare): a condition characterized by or relating to volvulus.

Synonyms

• Intestinal torsion: A more general medical term for twisting of the intestine.
• Bowel twist: A less formal, descriptive term.

Related Phrases

• "closed-loop obstruction": A related medical term often associated with volvulus, describing a blockage where both ends of the intestinal loop are obstructed.
• "malrotation with volvulus": A specific condition, often congenital, where abnormal intestinal rotation predisposes to twisting.

Notes on Meaning

• Medical Specificity: "Volvulus" is almost exclusively used in medical contexts. It is not a general term for any stomach ache or minor digestive issue. It denotes a specific, acute surgical emergency.
• Common Sites: While the definition notes it usually occurs in the ileum or sigmoid colon, it can theoretically happen in other parts of the intestine. The most common types are sigmoid volvulus (in the S-shaped part of the colon) and cecal volvulus (in the first part of the colon).

Noun

1. abnormal twisting of the intestines (usually in the area of the ileum or sigmoid colon) resulting in intestinal obstruction