Clinical Diagnosis · Digestive System · Medium
Odynophagia
Meaning: Pain on swallowing, often caused by inflammation or infection of the gullet.
In practice: Odynophagia in the immunosuppressed patient raised suspicion of oesophageal candida.
Word parts
- -phagia means swallowing or eating
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: The presence of blood within the abdominal cavity, often after trauma or a ruptured organ.
Answer: Haemoperitoneum
Which word means: A childhood kidney cancer, often presenting as a painless abdominal mass in young children.
Answer: Nephroblastoma
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