Clinical Diagnosis · Digestive System · Medium
Volvulus
Meaning: Twisting of a loop of bowel around itself, causing obstruction and possibly cutting off its blood supply.
In practice: A sigmoid volvulus caused massive abdominal distension in the elderly nursing home resident.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Low-pitched, rattling or snoring sounds heard through a stethoscope, caused by secretions in larger airways.
Answer: Rhonchi
Which word means: A parasitic infection often caught from cat faeces or undercooked meat, dangerous in pregnancy and immunosuppression.
Answer: Toxoplasmosis
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