atresia

American  

[uh-tree-zhuh, -zhee-uh] / əˈtri ʒə, -ʒi ə /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. the congenital absence, or the pathological closure, of an opening, passage, or cavity.

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atresia British  

/ əˈtriːʒɪə, -ʒə /

noun

1. absence of or unnatural narrowing of a body channel

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Other Word Forms

• atresic
  adjective
• atretic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of atresia

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek a- a- ⁶ + três ( is ) perforation + -ia -ia

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

atresia

Ipsen said its Bylvay drug didn’t meet the main objective in a late-stage clinical trial that tested the medicine in biliary atresia, a rare and serious liver disease that affects babies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

She said Reggie was born with a number of health complications, including oesophageal atresia and skeletal dysplasia, meaning he will have to have both legs amputated.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2025

Billy was born with a condition called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a severe heart defect that occurs in approximately one in 2,500 babies.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2024

Cecilia had been suffering since birth with biliary atresia.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 18, 2021

In cases of absolute atresia the saliva does not reach the stomach.

From Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery by Chevalier Jackson

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