Ischemia

UPDATED: The term [ischemia] arises from the Greek word [ισχαιμία], meaning "to slow down the flow of blood". The root portion arises from the Greek [σφίγγω] meaning "to constrict" or "to stop". The uffix is [-emia] from the Greek [αίμα] (ema) meaning blood. Another potential origin is the Greek word [ischanein], meaning " to keep at bay" or 'to hold in check". It was Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) who first used the term [ischemia] to denote a local reduction in the flow of blood.

Today the term ischemia means "localized reduction in the flow of blood to an organ or region of an organ". Ischemia occurs when there is a stenosis or stricture of an artery.

Note: The links to Google Translate include an icon that will allow you to hear the Greek or Latin pronunciation of the word.

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