edema

[ ih-dee-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural e·de·mas, e·de·ma·ta [ih-, dee, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. effusion of serous fluid into the interstices of cells in tissue spaces or into body cavities.
2. Plant Pathology.
   1. a small surface swelling of plant parts, caused by excessive moisture.
   2. any disease so characterized.

edema

/ ɪˈdɛmətəs; ɪˈdiːmə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of oedema

edema

/ ĭ-dē′mə /

1. An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or body cavities. Edema can be mild and benign as in pregnancy or prolonged standing in the elderly, or a serious sign of heart, liver, or kidney failure, or of other diseases.

Derived Forms

• edematous, adjective

Other Words From

• e·dem·a·tous [ih-, dem, -, uh, -t, uh, s, ih-, dee, -m, uh, -], e·dem·a·tose [ih-, dem, -, uh, -tohs, ih-, dee, -m, uh, -], adjective
• pseudo·e·dema noun plural pseudoedemata

Word History and Origins

Origin of edema¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from New Latin oedēma, from Greek oídēma “a swelling,” equivalent to oidē- (variant stem of oideîn “to swell”) + -ma noun suffix

Example Sentences

Pasantes’ work was the foundation for our understanding of how to prevent and treat brain edema, a condition where the brain swells due to excessive accumulation of fluid, from head trauma or reduced blood supply, for example.

From Science News

“Exercise-induced pulmonary edema” has been documented in research, but Robinson said a proven connection between that phenomenon and the bloody taste has not been established.

From Washington Post

That condition is now known as high-altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE.

From Outside Online

Instead, Houston suggested that this was a form of pulmonary edema, or fluid build-up in the lungs, triggered by the ascent to altitude rather than by an infection or any underlying health condition.

From Outside Online

Drinking lots of water can exacerbate issues of edema and blood pressure.

From Popular-Science

The dye has been used upon mice and caused pronounced edema.

From Project Gutenberg

On the first two occasions, one eye was closed completely by the edema.

From Project Gutenberg

The name—​opposed to edema—​is about as close as the copyright laws permit.

From Project Gutenberg

The only local anesthetic that produces edema and sloughing is quinin and urea hydrochlorid.

From Project Gutenberg

The woman, however, after three doses of the scopolamine developed pulmonary edema.

From Project Gutenberg