Tamponade

/ˈtæmpənˌeɪd/ noun

Definition

in medicine, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, or pressure from accumulated fluid around the heart that prevents it from beating properly.

Etymology

From French 'tampon' (a plug or stopper) + '-ade' suffix (used in medical terms). The French word derives from 'tamponne,' to plug or stuff.

Kelly Says

Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency where fluid around your heart literally squeezes it until it stops working—it's a grim example of how the heart is just a muscle dependent on its space to function.

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