Caustic
Caustic
Caustic (/ˈkɔːstɪk/), derived from the Latin causticus and Greek kaustikos, meaning "burning", is a term used in various branches of science and medicine to describe substances that can burn, corrode, or destroy living tissue on contact.
Definition
In medicine, a caustic substance is one that can cause burns or destroy tissue by chemical action. This can occur through direct contact with the skin or eyes, or if the substance is ingested or inhaled.
Usage in Medicine
In the medical field, caustic substances are often used in procedures such as chemical peels and cauterization. However, they can also cause harm if not handled properly, leading to conditions such as chemical burns or caustic esophagitis.
Related Terms
- Alkali: A type of caustic substance that can cause burns or tissue damage.
- Acid: Another type of caustic substance, acids can also cause burns and tissue damage.
- Corrosive: A term often used interchangeably with caustic, referring to substances that can cause damage to living tissue.
- Cauterization: A medical procedure that uses caustic substances to burn and seal tissue.
- Chemical burn: An injury caused by exposure to a caustic substance.
- Caustic esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus caused by ingestion of a caustic substance.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Caustic
- Wikipedia's article - Caustic
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski