Clinical Diagnosis · Musculoskeletal System · Hard
Dactylitis
Meaning: Diffuse swelling of a whole finger or toe, giving a sausage-like appearance.
In practice: A hallmark of psoriatic arthritis, also seen in reactive arthritis and spondyloarthropathies.
Word parts
- -itis means inflammation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Inflammation of the large airways of the lungs.
Answer: Bronchitis
Which word means: Compression of the heart by fluid collecting in the pericardial sac, impairing filling.
Answer: Tamponade
Words like dactylitis come up in the daily game
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