infarction
Meaning
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.
Structure
Usage
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.
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
- 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.