adjective
cystic
SIS-tik/sˈɪstɪk/
Involving fluid-filled sacs in body tissue.
This cystic kidney contains several fluid-filled sacs within its tissue.
Etymology
The bladder-or-pouch base makes this a relational adjective. Originally referring to the gall bladder, cystic later came to describe abnormal sacs in tissue or conditions involving them.
In context
A patient presents with the cystic fluid collection on the posterior portion of the knee.
More examples
- The scan reveals a cystic mass near her ovary.
- Some cystic breast changes cause tenderness before a period.
- The doctor monitors the cystic lesion for changes in size.
Forms
cystic
cyst noun — An abnormal sac containing fluid or other material.
Similar words
- cyst-filled
- Specifies that an organ or tissue contains actual cysts.
- fluid-filled
- Describes anything containing fluid, not necessarily a cyst in tissue.