acropaquia
/akɾoˈpakja/
The English phrase 'nail clubbing' is translated into Spanish as acropaquia.
This term refers to a medical condition where the fingertips swell and the nails curve downward.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the formal clinical terms hipocratismo digital and dedos en palillo de tambor.
How do you pronounce it?
/akɾoˈpakja/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word digital in hipocratismo digital refers to the 'digits' or fingers, not to electronic technology.
- The term dedos en palillo de tambor literally translates to 'drumstick fingers' in English. It is a descriptive way doctors and patients use to visualize the shape of the affected digits.
- One of the formal terms, hipocratismo digital, is named after the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. It highlights the historical connection between this physical sign and underlying systemic diseases.
Examples in context
- El paciente presenta hipocratismo digital, un síntoma asociado con diversas enfermedades pulmonares.The patient has nail clubbing, a symptom associated with various lung diseases.
- Sus uñas tienen una forma extraña, como si fueran palillos o cucharas.His/her nails have a strange shape, like sticks or spoons.
- Hipocratismo digital es una señal importante en el diagnóstico de enfermedades subyacentes.Nail clubbing is an important sign in the diagnosis of underlying diseases.
- El médico sospecha que tiene acropaquia.The doctor suspects that he has nail clubbing.
- La acropaquia puede ser un signo de problemas pulmonares.Nail clubbing can be a sign of lung problems.
- Ella fue diagnosticada con acropaquia hace poco.She was recently diagnosed with nail clubbing.
Example conversation
A woman is talking to her brother about a medical report.
- SofíaMateo, el doctor mencionó la acropaquia en el informe.Mateo, the doctor mentioned nail clubbing in the report.
- Mateo¿Es algo grave para ella?Is it something serious for her?
- SofíaNo lo sé, pero debemos investigar más.I don't know, but we must investigate more.
- MateoEntiendo, iré con ella a la próxima consulta.I understand, I will go with her to the next appointment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry acropaquia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
