edema
This term describes a clinical state of swelling that feels heavy or spongy to the touch. It is a medical descriptor used to pinpoint the physiological failure of fluid regulation, often linked to heart, kidney, or liver dysfunction.
In a healthcare setting, it is a neutral, diagnostic term. It differs from general swelling or inflammation because it specifically refers to the buildup of water and salts rather than a reaction to injury or infection.
Used as a medical condition to describe the presence of fluid, such as saying a patient has pulmonary edema.
Meanings
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of tissues.
The patient presented with severe edema in the lower extremities.
Examples
The patient presented with severe edema in the lower extremities.