Pathology · Haematological System · Medium
Toxaemia
Meaning: Presence of poisonous substances made by microbes circulating in the blood, causing widespread illness.
In practice: Toxaemia from the clostridial wound infection led to rapid deterioration and multi-organ failure.
Word parts
- -aemia means a condition of the blood
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 pathology words.
Which word means: Disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves.
Answer: Neuropathy
Which word means: Hormone-secreting tumour that drives excessive stomach acid production, leading to severe peptic ulcers.
Answer: Gastrinoma
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