Clinical Diagnosis · Cardiovascular System · Medium

Endocarditis

Meaning: Infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually affecting the valves.

In practice: Fever, a changing murmur, splinter haemorrhages and clubbing; viridans streptococci are a common cause.

Word parts

  • endo- means inside
  • -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.

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