How Do You Spell PULSUS DIFFERENS?

1. Pulsus differens is a medical term used to describe a particular type of pulsation that is observed during a physical examination of a patient's pulse. It refers to a pulse that exhibits a significant difference in strength or amplitude between each beat.

   Typically, a normal pulse should be regular in both rate and strength, with beats that are uniform in intensity. However, in the case of pulsus differens, there is an inconsistency in the strength of the pulse wave, leading to varying degrees of forcefulness with each beat.

   This condition is most commonly associated with cardiac abnormalities, particularly aortic regurgitation or aortic dissection. In patients with aortic regurgitation, the aortic valve does not close properly, leading to leakage of blood back into the left ventricle during diastole. As a result, the left ventricle has to pump out a greater volume of blood with each contraction, leading to a stronger pulse wave.

   Pulsus differens can also occur in other medical conditions, such as constrictive pericarditis or cardiac tamponade, where external pressure on the heart restricts its ability to expand fully during diastole.

   The detection of pulsus differens is an important diagnostic clue for physicians, as it suggests an underlying pathology that needs to be further investigated. Various diagnostic tests, such as echocardiography or cardiac catheterization, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan.

2. A condition in which the pulses in the two radial arteries differ in strength.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PULSUS DIFFERENS

The term "pulsus differens" originates from Latin and is a medical phrase used to describe a specific type of pulse in which the strength or amplitude of the arterial pulse differs between each beat.

The word "pulsus" in Latin means "pulse" or "beating". It is derived from the verb "pulsare", meaning "to beat" or "to strike", which is related to the noun "pulsum". In medical terminology, "pulsus" refers to the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the arteries caused by the force of blood being pumped from the heart.

The word "differens" is the present participle form of the Latin verb "differre", which means "to differ" or "to be different".