dilation

dilation /di·la·tion/ (di-la´shun)

1. the act of dilating or stretching.

2. dilatation.

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di·la·tion (d-lshn, d-)

n.

1. The act of expanding or the condition of being expanded.

2. Dilatation.

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dilation

[dīlā′shən]

Etymology: L, dilatare, to widen

1 the condition of being dilated or stretched.

2 the process of causing a physiologic increase in the diameter of a body opening, blood vessel, or tube. Examples include the widening of the pupil of the eye by the use of cycloplegic eyedrops for examination of the retina and opening of the uterine cervix to facilitate curettage by the use of a dilator. Also called dilatation.

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dilation [di-la´shun]

1. the act of dilating or stretching.

2. dilatation.

3. an increase in the diameter of a circular structure, such as the pupil.

dilation and curettage D and C; expanding of the ostium uteri to permit scraping of the walls of the uterus. See also abortion.

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dilation,

n widening or opening of any orifice in the body.

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dilation (dīlā´shn),

n the act of stretching or dilating.

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dilation

see dilatation.

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dilatation, dilation

1. the condition, as of an orifice or tubular structure, of being dilated or stretched beyond normal dimensions.

2. the act of dilating or stretching. See under anatomical location, e.g. esophageal, cardiac, intestinal, gastric, pupillary.

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dilatation-torsion syndrome

see gastric dilatation-volvulus.

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dilation

Ophthalmology A process by which the pupil is temporarily enlarged with mydriatics to improve visualization of the fundus