Clinical Diagnosis · Digestive System · Medium

Ascites

Meaning: Accumulation of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

In practice: Causes abdominal distension with dullness on percussion; seen in cirrhosis, heart failure and ovarian cancer.

Quick check

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: A clinical syndrome of slowness, rigidity, tremor and postural instability.

Which word means: Optic nerve damage, often linked to raised intraocular pressure, causing progressive visual field loss.

Words like ascites come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More clinical diagnosis terms · All medical words