vasodilatation
|vas-o-di-la-ta-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌveɪzoʊdaɪləˈteɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌveɪzəʊdaɪləˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
widening of blood vessels
Etymology
'vasodilatation' originates from Latin, specifically from the combining form 'vaso-' from 'vas' meaning 'vessel' and 'dilatation' from 'dilatatio' (from 'dilatare') meaning 'a spreading or widening'.
'vasodilatation' developed from New Latin/Medieval Latin formations such as 'vasodilatatio' and entered modern medical English through usage in anatomical and physiological texts in the 19th century.
Initially it referred broadly to the action of 'spreading' or 'widening' of a vessel; over time it has been specialized to mean the physiological or pharmacological widening of blood vessels.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the widening (dilation) of blood vessels caused by relaxation of the muscular walls of the vessels; a physiological process that increases blood flow and typically lowers vascular resistance and blood pressure.
Local vasodilatation at the site of inflammation increases blood flow and helps immune cells reach the injured tissue.
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Noun 2
the process or result of pharmacological or physiological agents (e.g., nitric oxide, histamine, heat) causing blood vessels to expand.
Many antihypertensive drugs act by promoting vasodilatation to reduce systemic vascular resistance.
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 16:07