Compensation

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Compensation (Medicine)

Compensation (pronounced: /kɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/) is a term used in various fields of medicine to describe the body's ability to adjust and maintain balance, often in response to an injury or physical impairment.

Etymology

The term "compensation" originates from the Latin word 'compensatio', meaning "a weighing one thing against another". In the medical context, it refers to the body's ability to counterbalance a defect or dysfunction.

In Pathology

In pathology, compensation refers to the physiological process where the body attempts to maintain homeostasis (a stable state of internal conditions) in the face of a disease or injury. For example, if one kidney is damaged or removed, the remaining kidney can enlarge and increase its function to compensate for the loss. This is known as renal compensation.

In Neurology

In neurology, compensation can refer to the brain's ability to adapt to injuries or diseases. For example, following a stroke, other parts of the brain may take over functions that were lost, a process known as neurological compensation.

In Cardiology

In cardiology, compensation is used to describe the heart's response to damage or increased workload. For example, in heart failure, the heart may enlarge or pump more frequently to compensate for its reduced ability to pump blood. This is known as cardiac compensation.

Related Terms

  • Decompensation: The failure of an organ (such as the heart, liver, or lung) to compensate for functional deficiency.
  • Overcompensation: A pathological condition where the body's compensatory mechanisms overreact, often worsening the original condition.

External links

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