Clinical Diagnosis · Cardiovascular System · Medium
Pericarditis
Meaning: Inflammation of the fibrous sac surrounding the heart.
In practice: Causes sharp chest pain and may lead to an effusion or tamponade; also a cause of atrial fibrillation.
Word parts
- peri- means around
- -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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