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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
duct ectasia
mammary duct ectasia
corneal ectasia
annuloaortic ectasia
post-LASIK ectasia
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The mammogram showed duct _____ rather than a tumour.
Etymology
From Greek 'ektasis', meaning stretching out or extension, from 'ek-' (out) and 'teinein' (to stretch).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ectasia
See all rhymes for ectasia →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.
What is the meaning of ectasia?
"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.
