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sequestrum

American  
[si-kwes-truhm] / sɪˈkwɛs trəm /

noun

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


sequestrum British  
/ sɪˈkwɛstrəm /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns


Etymology

Origin of sequestrum

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

Time may be saved by separating the sequestrum with the aid of an elevator or sharp spoon, or by chiselling away the dead part till healthy vascular bone is reached.

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

If operative treatment becomes necessary, as it may, for removal of a sequestrum, access to the seat of disease is obtained by removing the posterior portion of the iliac bone.

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

Finally, the sequestrum lies loose in a cavity lined by tuberculous granulation tissue, and is readily identified in a radiogram.

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

The edges and deep surface of the sequestrum present a serrated or worm-eaten appearance due to the process of erosion by which the dead bone has been separated from the living.

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

Syphilitic sequestra are heavier and denser than normal bone, because sclerosis usually precedes death of the bone.

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

A few fragments of bone sometimes needed primary removal, and occasionally small sequestra were removed at a later date; but necrosis was rare, unless some complication led to the development of a fistula.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by George Henry Makins

The trabecular framework of the bone undergoes erosion and absorption—rarefying ostitis—and either disappears altogether or only irregular fragments or sequestra of microscopic dimensions remain in the area affected.

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

Small sequestra may be found embedded in the granulation tissue.

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

In exceptional cases, portions of the glenoid or humerus are found separated as sequestra, or the disease involves parts outside the joint, such as the acromion or coracoid process.

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

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