Plastron
Plastron
Plastron (/plæstrɒn/; from French plastron, "breastplate") is a term used in various fields of medicine. It is most commonly associated with the field of Herpetology, where it refers to the ventral (lower) part of a turtle's or tortoise's shell. However, in a medical context, it can also refer to a protective shield or device used in certain medical procedures or treatments.
Etymology
The term "plastron" is derived from the French word plastron, which means "breastplate". It was first used in English in the 17th century, originally referring to a piece of armor. The term was later adopted in the field of herpetology to describe the ventral part of a turtle's or tortoise's shell, due to its protective function similar to a breastplate.
Medical Usage
In medicine, a plastron can refer to a protective shield or device used in certain medical procedures or treatments. For example, in Radiation Therapy, a plastron may be used to protect healthy tissues from radiation exposure while allowing the targeted treatment of cancerous tissues.
In Gastroenterology, a plastron is a term used to describe a mass of inflamed tissue and feces that forms around a perforated appendix, effectively walling off the infection and preventing it from spreading to the rest of the abdomen. This condition is also known as a "walled-off appendiceal abscess" or "appendiceal plastron".
Related Terms
- Herpetology: The branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians, including turtles and tortoises.
- Radiation Therapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- Gastroenterology: The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.
- Appendicitis: An inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plastron
- Wikipedia's article - Plastron
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