noun

distention

dis-TEN-shun/dɪˈstɛnʃən/

Swelling or expansion caused by pressure from within.

Water flowing into the balloon causes distention of its rubber walls.

A translucent rubber balloon attached to a running faucet swells into a taut, water-heavy pear shape, visibly demonstrating expansion from pressure inside.

Etymology

disLatinapart

+tentLatinto stretch

+ionLatinaction or state

The pieces describe stretching apart or outward. Distention names the resulting swollen state, in which internal pressure stretches something beyond its usual size.

In context

Strong Medicine13:16

if the patient has any combination of fever, feculent vomit, or significant abdominal pain, tenderness, and/or distention

An Approach to Acute Nausea and Vomiting

More examples

The doctor checks for distention of the bladder.
Fluid buildup causes visible distention of her abdomen.
Releasing the trapped air relieves the stomach distention.

Forms

distention · distentions

distend verb — To swell or expand from internal pressure.

Similar words

swelling: Broader enlargement, including that caused by injury or inflammation.
bloating: Usually abdominal fullness or swelling associated with digestive gas.
expansion: Any increase in size, not necessarily from internal pressure.