Abnormal stretching or enlargement of the stomach, often causing pain, bloating, or difficulty digesting food.
From Greek 'gastro-' (stomach) and 'ektasis' (stretching or dilation), from 'ekteinein' (to stretch out). The term developed in 19th-century medical practice.
The '-ectasia' suffix is so useful that doctors use it for dozens of organs—you have 'bronchiectasia' for expanded lungs and 'cardiectasia' for enlarged hearts, all from the same Greek root meaning 'to stretch.'
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