WHITE INFARCT Meaning and
Definition
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White infarct refers to a type of infarction that occurs in tissues with poor collateral blood supply, typically found in the central nervous system (CNS) or solid organs such as the spleen or kidney. This term is primarily used in the context of neurology and vascular pathology.
In a white infarct, the affected tissue appears pale or whitish in color, as blood flow to the area is severely compromised, resulting in cellular death (necrosis) due to ischemia. The lack of a robust collateral blood supply prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the affected tissue, leading to tissue damage and eventual necrosis.
The mechanism behind white infarcts is often related to occlusion or blockage of major blood vessels, such as arterial embolism or thrombosis. These vascular events can arise from conditions like atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels due to plaque accumulation), blood clots, or other forms of arterial disease.
The white appearance of the infarcted tissue is attributed to the absence of red blood cells, which are responsible for the characteristic red coloration of normal, healthy tissue. Instead, the affected area contains dead cells and debris, causing the tissue to become pale.
White infarcts can have serious implications depending on their location, often leading to focal neurological deficits or functional impairment. Treatment typically involves resolving the underlying cause of the ischemic event, restoring blood flow to the affected tissue, and preventing further damage.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for WHITE INFARCT
- qhite infarct
- ahite infarct
- shite infarct
- ehite infarct
- 3hite infarct
- 2hite infarct
- wgite infarct
- wbite infarct
- wnite infarct
- wjite infarct
- wuite infarct
- wyite infarct
- whute infarct
- whjte infarct
- whkte infarct
- whote infarct
- wh9te infarct
- wh8te infarct
- whire infarct
- whife infarct
Etymology of WHITE INFARCT
The word "infarct" derives from the Latin term "infarctus", which means "stuffed" or "crammed". It is derived from the Latin verb "infarcire", which means "to stuff". This term was originally used in a non-medical sense to describe the process of filling or stuffing something.
The adjective "white" in "white infarct" refers to the pale or whitish appearance that affected tissues may have in certain types of infarcts. In medical terminology, "white infarct" specifically refers to an infarct that occurs in an area with limited blood supply, typically resulting in coagulative necrosis (cell death) rather than hemorrhagic necrosis (bleeding into the tissue). It is called "white" because the affected tissue becomes pale due to the absence of blood flow and subsequent lack of oxygenation.
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