noun

ectasia

ek-TAY-zhuh

Ectasia (noun) means In medicine, the abnormal widening or stretching of a tube-shaped or hollow structure in the body, such as a duct, blood vessel or airway. Example: “The mammogram showed duct ectasia rather than a tumour.”

noun

medical In medicine, the abnormal widening or stretching of a tube-shaped or hollow structure in the body, such as a duct, blood vessel or airway.

"The mammogram showed duct ectasia rather than a tumour."

"Bronchial ectasia was visible on the CT scan."

medical In eye care, progressive thinning and forward bulging of the cornea, which distorts vision; it may occur on its own or as a complication of laser eye surgery.

"Post-LASIK ectasia is rare but is screened for before surgery."

How to Use Ectasia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tube or vessel in the body that has stretched wider than it should be.

When to use it

Clinical term; patients usually meet it in radiology and mammogram reports.

Memory tip

The adjective is 'ectatic', as in 'an ectatic vessel'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

aneurysm → stenosis → ectopia ectasis

Common pairings

duct ectasia mammary duct ectasia corneal ectasia annuloaortic ectasia post-LASIK ectasia

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The mammogram showed duct _____ rather than a tumour.

Etymology

From Greek 'ektasis', meaning stretching out or extension, from 'ek-' (out) and 'teinein' (to stretch).

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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dilatation dilation distension corneal ectasia keratectasia

Antonyms

stenosis stricture

Related Words

delay inflation critique swelling abbreviation dilation stenosis bloating

Rhymes for ectasia

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ectasia the same as cancer?

No. Ectasia simply means a passage or vessel has widened, and it is a benign structural change. Duct ectasia of the breast, for example, can cause discharge and a lump-like feel but is not cancerous, though a doctor will normally image it to rule cancer out.

What is the difference between ectasia and aneurysm?

Both describe a vessel that has widened, but an aneurysm is a localised balloon-like bulge, usually defined as more than 50 per cent above normal diameter, and carries a risk of rupture. Ectasia is a milder, more diffuse widening along a stretch of the vessel.

How is ectasia treated?

Treatment depends on the site. Mammary duct ectasia often needs nothing more than monitoring, while corneal ectasia may be treated with rigid contact lenses or corneal cross-linking to stiffen the tissue.

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