BALLOTTEMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Ballottement refers to a medical technique used to assess the presence of fluid and any abnormalities within the body, particularly in the examination of the joints and organs. It involves a gentle tapping or pushing motion on the surface of a body part in order to detect the movement or rebound of any underlying fluid or structure.
Specifically, in the field of gynecology, ballottement is often employed in the evaluation of the reproductive system, particularly during a pelvic examination. In this context, it refers to a technique used to assess the presence or absence of a floating fetus within the uterus by the detection of its movement.
During the examination, the clinician inserts a finger into the vagina and gently taps on the lower portion of the uterus. If there is a fetus present, a characteristic rebound or movement can be felt against the finger. This maneuver provides an indication of the viability and position of the fetus, as well as the presence of amniotic fluid.
Ballottement can also be used to diagnose conditions such as ovarian cysts, tumors, or ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity), as well as to identify joint effusion or swelling in conditions like arthritis.
Overall, ballottement serves as a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating the presence of fluid or abnormal structures within the body, aiding in the identification and management of various medical conditions.
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A method of diagnosis of pregnancy: with the tip of the forefinger in the vagina, a sharp tap is made against the lower segment of the uterus; the embryo, if present, is tossed upward, and if the finger is retained in place will presently be felt to strike against the wall of the uterus as it falls back.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BALLOTTEMENT
- vallottement
- nallottement
- hallottement
- gallottement
- bzllottement
- bsllottement
- bwllottement
- bqllottement
- baklottement
- baplottement
- baolottement
- balkottement
- balpottement
- baloottement
- ballittement
- ballkttement
- balllttement
- ballpttement
- ball0ttement
Etymology of BALLOTTEMENT
The word "ballottement" comes from the French language. The root of the word is "balloter", which means "to toss" or "to jolt". The suffix "-ment" is a common suffix in French that indicates a condition or action. Therefore, "ballottement" refers to the action or condition of being tossed or jolted. In medical terminology, ballottement refers to a technique used to assess the movement of fluid within the body, particularly in pregnancy.
Similar spelling word for BALLOTTEMENT
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