distension

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the state of being swollen, enlarged, or stretched by pressure from within

   The scan showed abdominal distension caused by trapped gas.

2. 2
   noun

   the process of expanding or stretching something through internal pressure

   Rapid distension of the vessel wall can cause severe pain.

Borrowed through French distension from Latin distensio ("a stretching apart"), from distendere, combining dis- ("apart") + tendere ("to stretch"). Medical use specializes the general idea as swelling or enlargement produced by pressure from within.

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