noun
dilatation
dye-luh-TAY-shun/ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃn/
The widening or enlargement of something, especially a body passage or organ.
Dilatation widens the middle of the flexible tube.
Etymology
The pieces combine the ideas of spreading apart and becoming broad. Dilatation names that widening as a process or state, with bodily openings among its early applications.
In context
blood flows from the deep veins back into the superficial veins and overloads them this leads to dilatation and engorgement of The Superficial veins forming varicose veins
More examples
- Balloon dilatation helps open the narrowed artery.
- The doctor monitors the dilatation of her aorta.
- Dilatation of the cervix allows the baby to pass during birth.
Forms
dilatation · dilatations
dilate verb — To make or become wider or larger.
Similar words
- dilation
- Names the same widening, especially in modern medical usage.
- enlargement
- Covers increases in overall size, not just passage width.
- expansion
- Often describes spreading outward or increasing volume beyond anatomy.