Major
Major (Medicine)
Major (/ˈmeɪdʒər/; from Latin maior, "greater") is a term used in medicine to describe a condition, procedure, or surgery of greater severity or complexity. It is often used in contrast to minor, which refers to less severe or complex conditions or procedures.
Etymology
The term major comes from the Latin word maior, which means "greater". It has been used in the English language since the late 14th century to denote something of greater importance or size. In the context of medicine, it began to be used in the 18th century to differentiate between surgeries or conditions of varying severity.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term major is used to describe a variety of situations:
- Major surgery: A surgical procedure that involves significant risk, complexity, or recovery time. This can include procedures such as heart surgery, organ transplant, or joint replacement.
- Major illness: A disease or condition that significantly impacts a person's quality of life or life expectancy. Examples can include cancer, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Major trauma: A serious injury that can potentially lead to long-term disability or death. This can include injuries from car accidents, falls, or violence.
Related Terms
- Minor (medicine): A term used to describe conditions, procedures, or surgeries of lesser severity or complexity.
- Major depressive disorder: A mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty carrying out daily tasks.
- Major histocompatibility complex: A set of genes that play a crucial role in the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to foreign substances.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Major
- Wikipedia's article - Major
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