sequestrum

American  

[si-kwes-truhm] / sɪˈkwɛs trəm /

noun

Pathology.

plural

sequestra

1. a fragment of bone that has become necrotic as a result of disease or injury and has separated from the normal bone structure.

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sequestrum British  

/ sɪˈkwɛstrəm /

noun

1. pathol a detached piece of necrotic bone that often migrates to a wound, abscess, etc See sequester

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Usage

What is a sequestrum? A sequestrum is a fragment of dead bone or other tissue that has separated from healthy tissue as a result of injury or disease. The proper plural of sequestrum is sequestra. Sequestra often end up in a wound or abscess (a collection of pus). The surgical procedure involving the removal of a sequestrum is called a sequestrectomy. Sequestra can occur in many different areas of the body, such as the arms, legs, feet, spine, and hips. Example: The sequestrum is a bone fragment that was apparently chipped during a particularly forceful high-five.

Other Word Forms

• sequestral adjective

Etymology

Origin of sequestrum

1825–35; < New Latin; Medieval Latin: sequestrated property, derivative of Latin sequester; sequester

Example Sentences

Sequestration also refers to the government seizing the goods of citizens and can even identify the formation of a sequestrum, a detached piece of bone lying within a body cavity caused by necrosis.

From Time • Feb. 11, 2013

Disease of Child's Tibia, showing sequestrum in medullary cavity, and increase in girth from excess of new bone.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

In the macerated specimen, the sequestrum appears small in proportion to the large cavity in which it lies.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

The abscess should be laid open, all tuberculous granulations scraped away, and the sequestrum removed, with the aid of the chisel if it has not already become loose.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

The first change is due to the deposit of new bone on the periosteal surface; later, there is the shadow of the sequestrum.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis