derrame pericárdico
/derame peɾikaɾdiko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pericardial effusion" is translated into Spanish as derrame pericárdico.
In a medical context, this phrase refers to the buildup of excess fluid in the space around the heart.
What does it mean word for word?
The term derrame literally means 'spill', 'leak' or 'effusion', while pericárdico is the adjective for 'pericardial'.
Which one should you use?
While derrame pericárdico is the most common clinical term used, efusión pericárdica is also a correct medical synonym.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you must pluralize both the noun and the adjective, resulting in derrames pericárdicos.
Did you know?
- In common Spanish conversation, derrame is the standard word for a 'stroke', specifically a derrame cerebral. A patient mentioning a derrame without the word pericárdico would likely be misunderstood as having had a brain hemorrhage.
- In some Latin American dialects, derramar can be used metaphorically to describe an overflow of emotion, such as 'pouring out' one's heart. This creates a poetic irony when using the same root word to describe a physical fluid buildup around the heart.
- The word derrame comes from the verb derramar, which describes the act of spilling a liquid by accident. This gives the medical term a more visceral, everyday imagery of 'spilling' than the clinical English word 'effusion'.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela tiene derrame pericárdico.My grandmother has pericardial effusion.
- El médico detectó un derrame pericárdico en la ecografía.The doctor detected a pericardial effusion on the ultrasound.
- El paciente presenta un derrame pericárdico leve.The patient has a mild pericardial effusion.
- Debemos monitorizar el derrame pericárdico del paciente.We must monitor the patient's pericardial effusion.
Example conversation
Two doctors are discussing a patient's test results in a hospital.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿has visto los resultados del paciente?Daniel, have you seen the patient's results?
- DanielSí, Elena, tiene un derrame pericárdico.Yes, Elena, he has a pericardial effusion.
- Elena¿Es un derrame pericárdico grande?Is it a large pericardial effusion?
- DanielNo, parece ser bastante pequeño.No, it seems to be quite small.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries derrame, CC BY-SA 4.0.
