Obstacle
Obstacle (Medicine)
Obstacle (pronunciation: /ˈɒbstək(ə)l/) is a term used in the field of medicine to denote any structure or condition that hinders the normal functioning or progression of a biological process or system. The term is derived from the Latin word 'obstaculum', meaning 'something that stands in the way or hinders'.
Etymology
The term 'obstacle' is derived from the Latin 'obstaculum', which is a combination of 'ob' (in the way of) and 'stare' (to stand). In a medical context, it refers to anything that hinders or impedes the normal functioning of a biological process or system.
Related Terms
- Blockage: A blockage is a type of obstacle that prevents or restricts the flow of a substance or signal within the body. This can occur in various systems, such as the circulatory system (e.g., blood clot), the digestive system (e.g., bowel obstruction), or the nervous system (e.g., nerve block).
- Impediment: An impediment is a general term for any factor that hinders or slows down a process. In medicine, this could refer to a physical obstacle, a disease condition, or a psychological factor.
- Barrier: In medicine, a barrier refers to a structure or substance that prevents the passage or absorption of other substances. Examples include the blood-brain barrier and the intestinal barrier.
- Stenosis: Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a passage in the body, which can act as an obstacle to the flow of fluids or signals. This can occur in various parts of the body, such as the arteries (arterial stenosis), the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), or the esophagus (esophageal stenosis).
- Obstruction: Obstruction is a term that is often used interchangeably with 'obstacle'. It refers to a condition where something is blocking a passage in the body, such as a tumor obstructing the bowel or a stone obstructing the urinary tract.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Obstacle
- Wikipedia's article - Obstacle
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