Clinical Diagnosis · Cardiovascular System · Medium

Myocarditis

Meaning: Inflammation of the heart muscle, often triggered by a viral infection, which can cause chest pain and arrhythmias.

In practice: A young athlete with chest pain after a flu-like illness was diagnosed with myocarditis.

Word parts

  • myo- means muscle
  • -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: Repeated rhythmic muscle contractions triggered by a sudden sustained stretch.

Which word means: Infection and inflammation of the bile ducts, often due to blockage, causing fever, jaundice and abdominal pain.

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Related words

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