edema

/ɪˈdiːmə/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈdiːmə/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈdē-mə/ (ame, mw)

edema — noun

1. The American English spelling of oedema — a medical condition in which too much

1.名詞B2
釋義

The American English spelling of oedema — a medical condition in which too much fluid collects in body tissues, causing swelling.

例句

The doctor wrote 'edema' on the chart, using the American spelling.

American spelling variant of oedema

In US medical textbooks, the term is spelled 'edema' rather than 'oedema.'

用法筆記

This is the standard spelling in American English. In British English the same condition is spelled oedema.

常見錯誤

❌The patient has an edema.
✅The patient has edema.
💡Edema is usually uncountable in medical use; do not use an article.

2. A medical condition in which too much fluid gathers in the body's tissues, causi

2.名詞B2
釋義

A medical condition in which too much fluid gathers in the body's tissues, causing parts of the body to become visibly swollen. For example, a person with edema in the legs might have puffy ankles that do not return to their normal shape when pressed.

例句

Dr. Okonkwo noticed swelling in his patient's ankles and explained that it was caused by edema.

edema diagnosed by a doctor from visible swelling

During the long flight from Taipei to New York, Yuki's feet became puffy from mild edema.

mild edema brought on by prolonged sitting

同義詞
  • swelling

    The everyday word for any enlarged body part; edema is the specific medical term for fluid-caused swelling.

  • fluid retention

    A broader term describing the body holding extra water, which can lead to edema.

  • dropsy

    An older, historical term for edema, rarely used in modern medicine.

反義詞
  • dehydration

    A condition where the body lacks sufficient fluids, opposite of fluid accumulation.

用法筆記

Edema is a clinical term used mainly by medical professionals. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'swelling' or 'fluid retention.' The word can be uncountable (most common) or countable when referring to a specific instance or type, e.g. 'pulmonary edemas.'

常見錯誤

❌I got edema from a mosquito bite.
✅The mosquito bite caused a small swelling.
💡Edema is a medical diagnosis; it is not used for small, everyday swellings.
❌Edema and inflammation are the same thing.
✅Edema is fluid buildup; inflammation involves redness, heat, pain, and swelling.
💡These are related but distinct medical concepts.