gangrene
/ˈɡæŋɡriːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡæŋɡriːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgaŋ-ˌgrēn gaŋ-ˈgrēn ˈgan-ˌgrēn, gan-ˈgrēn/ (ame, mw)
gangrene — noun
1. a dangerous medical condition where body tissue dies and decays after its blood
a dangerous medical condition where body tissue dies and decays after its blood flow is blocked off, often resulting from an injury, infection, or diseases like diabetes
After the accident, the blood flow to his foot stopped and gangrene set in within days.
gangrene set in — expression for when the condition begins
Dr. Park warned that untreated frostbite could lead to gangrene and the need for surgery.
The nurse noticed the dark discolouration of the wound and immediately checked for signs of gangrene.
Without proper blood circulation, the tissue began to die and gangrene developed in the patient's lower leg.
- necrosis
more technical clinical term used by doctors; gangrene is a type of necrosis involving decay
- mortification
archaic or very formal term for the same condition, rarely used in modern medicine
- healing
the natural recovery of damaged tissue, opposite of tissue death
用法筆記
Gangrene is an uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a gangrene' or 'gangrenes' in standard English. The phrase 'gangrene sets in' is a fixed expression used when the condition begins after an injury.
常見錯誤
gangrene — verb
- gangrenepresent simple I / you / we / they
- gangrenes3rd person singular
- gangrening-ing form
- gangrenedpast simple
1. to make body tissue die and decay by blocking the circulation of blood to that a
to make body tissue die and decay by blocking the circulation of blood to that area, usually through injury, disease, or other medical causes
The tight bandage had caused gangrene in the tips of his fingers by stopping the circulation.
cause gangrene in — natural alternative to rare transitive verb
If the infection is not treated quickly, it may cause gangrene in the entire toe and require amputation.
The surgeon explained how untreated diabetes can gradually cause gangrene in the small blood vessels of the feet.
- necrotize
a more precise medical term used by professionals; gangrene implies visible decay
- heal
restore damaged tissue to a healthy state
文法句型
cause gangrene in + body part
lead to gangrene in + body part
用法筆記
This transitive sense is very rare in everyday English. Avoid using 'gangrene' as a transitive verb ('X gangrened Y') — instead use the natural alternatives shown in the examples: 'cause gangrene in' or 'lead to gangrene in'. The passive form ('was gangrened') is somewhat more common in medical writing than the active, but 'cause gangrene' remains the preferred choice in most contexts.
常見錯誤
2. for living tissue in a body to die and decompose when its blood flow has been cu
for living tissue in a body to die and decompose when its blood flow has been cut off, typically following an injury or infection
The wounded tissue began to develop gangrene when the blood clot blocked the artery completely.
tissue began to develop gangrene — natural alternative to rare intransitive verb
If a limb is left without circulation for too long, the affected area will slowly become gangrenous.
Dr. Okafor told the students that frostbitten skin can develop gangrene if it is warmed up too fast.
- regenerate
when damaged cells grow back and tissue recovers
文法句型
develop gangrene (no object)
become gangrenous
gangrene sets in
用法筆記
Like the transitive sense, this intransitive use is extremely rare in spoken and written English. Avoid using 'gangrene' as an intransitive verb ('the tissue gangrened') — instead use the natural alternatives shown in the examples: 'develop gangrene', 'become gangrenous', or 'gangrene sets in'. The intransitive verb is found mainly in older medical textbooks, not in modern everyday usage.