Volatile
Volatile
Volatile (pronunciation: /ˈvɒlətaɪl/) is a term used in various fields of medicine to describe substances or conditions that are unstable or easily changeable.
Etymology
The term "volatile" originates from the Latin word "volatilis", which means "flying" or "able to fly". In the medical context, it is used to describe substances that can easily evaporate at normal temperatures or conditions that can rapidly change.
In Pharmacology
In pharmacology, a volatile substance refers to a substance that has a high vapor pressure at room temperature. This characteristic allows the substance to change from a liquid or solid state into a vapor. Examples of volatile substances used in medicine include ether and chloroform, which were historically used as anesthetics.
In Psychiatry
In psychiatry, volatile is used to describe a person's mood or behavior that changes quickly and unpredictably. This can be seen in conditions such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
In Pathology
In pathology, volatile can refer to conditions or diseases that can rapidly progress or change, such as acute illnesses or infectious diseases.
Related Terms
- Volatile anesthetic: A type of anesthetic that is vaporized and inhaled to produce loss of sensation or consciousness.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature.
- Volatile acid: An acid that can be removed from a solution by boiling.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Volatile
- Wikipedia's article - Volatile
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