vasotonia
|vas-o-to-ni-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌveɪsəˈtoʊniə/
🇬🇧
/ˌveɪsəˈtəʊniə/
vessel tension (increased vascular tone)
Etymology
'vasotonia' originates from New Latin, formed from the combining form 'vaso-' (from Latin 'vas', meaning 'vessel') and Greek-derived suffix 'tonia' (from Greek 'tonos', meaning 'tension' or 'tone').
'vasotonia' was coined in medical/New Latin usage by combining Latin 'vas' ('vessel') with Greek 'tonos' ('tension'); this hybrid formation entered modern English medical vocabulary as 'vasotonia'.
Initially the elements meant 'vessel' + 'tension' (literally 'vessel tension'); over time the term has come to denote the clinical/physiological concept of increased vascular tone or vasoconstriction.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a physiological state characterized by increased vascular tone or pronounced vasoconstriction of blood vessels, often raising peripheral resistance and blood pressure.
Vasotonia may increase peripheral resistance and contribute to hypertension in some patients.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in non-specialist or therapeutic contexts, a tendency toward peripheral vasoconstriction that can cause cold, pale extremities or reduced skin perfusion.
Practitioners noted vasotonia in patients who complained of persistent cold hands and feet.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/30 05:33