MICROCARDIA Meaning and
Definition
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Microcardia is a medical term used to describe a condition characterized by an abnormally small or undersized heart. Derived from the prefix "micro-" meaning small, and the word "cardia" referring to the heart, microcardia is a condition that may affect individuals from birth or develop later in life due to various underlying causes.
Typically, the heart is the size of an individual's fist and weighs around 250-350 grams. However, in the case of microcardia, the heart is significantly smaller than the average size, resulting in the impairment of its normal functioning. This reduced size may lead to inadequate blood flow throughout the body as the heart's pumping capacity may be compromised.
Microcardia can result from a variety of factors, including genetic abnormalities, infections, malnutrition during fetal development, exposure to certain teratogenic substances, or as a consequence of other congenital heart defects. Patients with microcardia often experience symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and poor exercise tolerance, which can severely impact their daily activities and quality of life.
Diagnosis of microcardia typically involves a thorough physical examination, medical history assessment, and imaging techniques such as echocardiography, MRI, or CT scans to evaluate the size and structure of the heart. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. They can range from medication to surgery, including heart valve repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, or even heart transplantation in severe cases. Regular follow-up with a cardiologist is essential to monitor the condition and ensure appropriate management.
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Abnormally small size of the heart.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MICROCARDIA
- nicrocardia
- kicrocardia
- jicrocardia
- mucrocardia
- mjcrocardia
- mkcrocardia
- mocrocardia
- m9crocardia
- m8crocardia
- mixrocardia
- mivrocardia
- mifrocardia
- midrocardia
- miceocardia
- micdocardia
- micfocardia
- mictocardia
- mic5ocardia
- mic4ocardia
- micricardia
Etymology of MICROCARDIA
The word "microcardia" is derived from two roots: "micro-" and "cardia".
1. "Micro-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "mikrós", meaning "small" or "little". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to denote something microscopic, very small, or on a smaller scale.
2. "Cardia" comes from the Greek word "kardiá", meaning "heart". It is utilized as a combining form in medical terms to refer to the heart or cardiac-related conditions.
Therefore, "microcardia" can be defined as a condition or state characterized by an unusually small or undersized heart.
