elephantiasis
/ˌɛlɪf(ə)nˈtʌɪəsɪs
/noun [mass noun] Medicine
A condition in which a limb or other part of the body becomes grossly enlarged due to obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, typically by the nematode parasites which cause filariasis.Manson correctly surmised that chyluria and elephantiasis were manifestations of lymphatic obstruction by adult filarial worms....
- However, there are differences in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of elephantiasis and hydrocele.
- The irony in the Pacific Islands is that, though still beset by traditional tropical infections such as malaria, dengue fever, and elephantiasis, the new great killer is the combination of obesity, diabetes, and vascular disease.
Origin
Mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek, from elephas, elephant- 'elephant' + -iasis.
Rhymes
- vegetable food
- vegetable gelatin
- vegetable gold
- vegetable hair
- vegetable horsehair
- vegetable ivory
- vegetableize
- vegetable juice
- vegetable kingdom
- vegetable lamb
- vegetable lard
- vegetable leather
- vegetable marrow
- vegetable mercury
- vegetable oil
- vegetable oyster
- vegetable parchment
- vegetable pear
- vegetable sheep
- vegetable shortening
- vegetable silk
- vegetable spaghetti
- vegetable sponge
- vegetable stone
- vegetable sulfur