EDEMA
(ih-DEE-muh)
1.
Botany: a
swelling in a plant, caused by excessive moisture. 2.
Pathology:
a buildup of excess serous fluid in the interstices of cells in
tissue spaces or into body cavities. Common clues: Plant
swelling; Swelling condition; Plant problem; Accumulation of
fluids; Tomato blight; Botanical swelling; Watery swelling;
Puffiness; Swell subject for plants Crossword
puzzle frequency:
2 times a year Frequency
in English language:
84310 / 86800 Video: Identifying
Late Blight on Tomato Plants
Edema
on the underside of a Peperomia
Leaf [Photo: Courtesy of Dr.
Curtis E. Swift, Colorado State University]
Edema
is a condition that results when the plant takes up more water
through the roots than the leaves can give off in the form of
water vapor through the stomates. The excess water accumulates in
the leaf cells, causing them to enlarge and often burst. As the
cells become engorged with water, swellings may appear on the
upper or lower surface of the leaf. The afflicted cells often
have a dark green bacterial-like water-soaked appearance
surrounding these swollen cells.
***
Edema,
formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation
of fluid in the interstitium, which are locations beneath the
skin or in one or more cavities of the body. It is clinically
shown as swelling. Generally, the amount of interstitial fluid is
determined by the balance of fluid homeostasis, and increased
secretion of fluid into the interstitium or impaired removal of
this fluid may cause edema.
Left
and right ring fingers of the same individual. The distal phalanx
of the finger on the right exhibits edema due to acute
paronychia.
This
article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia
article "Edema".
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