COLLATERAL CIRCULATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Collateral circulations are alternative pathways formed within the body to redirect blood flow when the normal blood vessels that carry blood to an organ or tissue become blocked or compromised. These collaterals provide an alternative route for blood supply to reach the affected area, ensuring the delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for proper functioning of the organ or tissue.
Typically, collateral circulations are a result of gradual adaptation and remodeling of the existing blood vessels in response to chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, where plaque buildup narrows or blocks the arteries. Over time, the body creates new smaller blood vessels that act as bypasses, connecting upstream and downstream areas to establish a detour for blood flow. This physiological mechanism helps maintain blood circulation and mitigate the consequences of compromised blood vessels.
Collateral circulations are commonly found in organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver, as these are vital organs with high metabolic demands. However, they can also develop in other body parts such as muscles or skin, depending on the specific condition or injury.
The presence and effectiveness of collateral circulations can significantly influence the prognosis and treatment of various diseases. Medical professionals may employ diagnostic techniques like angiography or Doppler ultrasound to assess collateral circulation and determine necessary interventions, including medical therapy, minimally invasive procedures, or, in severe cases, surgical interventions to restore normal blood flow and alleviate symptoms.
Common Misspellings for COLLATERAL CIRCULATIONS
- xollateral circulations
- vollateral circulations
- follateral circulations
- dollateral circulations
- cillateral circulations
- ckllateral circulations
- clllateral circulations
- cpllateral circulations
- c0llateral circulations
- c9llateral circulations
- coklateral circulations
- coplateral circulations
- coolateral circulations
- colkateral circulations
- colpateral circulations
- coloateral circulations
- collzteral circulations
- collsteral circulations
- collwteral circulations
- collqteral circulations
Etymology of COLLATERAL CIRCULATIONS
The word "collateral" comes from the Latin word "collaterālis", which means "running alongside" or "side by side". It is composed of the prefix "col-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the word "latus" (meaning "side"). "Circulation" originates from the Latin word "circulātio", which means "a going round in a circle" or "regular course". When combined, "collateral circulations" refers to the additional or alternative pathways of blood circulation that develop in the body to compensate for impaired or blocked blood vessels, typically seen in conditions like coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease.
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