infarction
UK[ɪnˈfɑːkʃn]US[ɪnˈfɑːrkʃn]
n
The obstruction of the blood supply to an organ or region of tissue, typically by a thrombus or embolus, causing local death of the tissue.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
farct
ion
in
in
farct
to stuff
ion
Etymology
The word 'infarction' originates from the Modern Latin term 'infarctio', which is derived from the verb 'infarcire', meaning 'to stuff into'. This verb itself is a combination of the Latin prefix 'in-' (into) and 'farcire' (to stuff). The medical term was coined in the 19th century based on the pathological observation that a blocked artery leads to an area of tissue being "stuffed" or engorged with blood, which then dies. Thus, the literal concept of "stuffing into" evolved into the modern abstract meaning of tissue death caused by an obstructed blood supply.
Analysis
Structure: in + farct + ion
- in: Latin origin, meaning 'in' or 'into'. Functions as a prefix indicating location or state.
- farct: Latin origin, from the past participle stem 'farcire', meaning 'to stuff' or 'to cram'. Functions as the core root.
- ion: Latin origin, a suffix forming nouns of action or condition.
Examples
The patient was hospitalized after suffering a myocardial infarction.
A cerebral infarction can lead to a stroke and permanent neurological damage.
The autopsy revealed a small infarction in the kidney due to a lodged embolus.