epiploic
|e-pip-lo-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɛpɪˈploʊɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɛpɪˈplɔɪɪk/
relating to the omentum
Etymology
'epiploic' originates from Modern Latin (New Latin) 'epiploicus', ultimately from Greek 'epiplōon' (ἐπίπλουν), where the prefix 'epi-' meant 'upon' and 'plōon/ploos' referred to something related to the omentum (the fatty membrane).
'epiploic' developed from Greek 'epiplōon' (meaning 'omentum'), which passed into Late/Medieval Latin as 'epiploon' or 'epiploōn' and then into New/Modern Latin before being adopted into English as 'epiploic'.
Initially it meant 'of or relating to the epiplōon (omentum)'; over time the meaning remained specialized and is still used in medical contexts to mean 'relating to the omentum or its appendages.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to the epiploon or omentum (the fold of peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach).
The surgeon noted an epiploic fold near the greater curvature of the stomach.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
pertaining to epiploic appendages (small fatty pouches attached to the colon).
Epiploic appendagitis is an inflammation of an epiploic appendage.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/27 20:13