-ectasis
dilation, expansion
From Greek ektasis, a stretching out
Meaning
What does -ectasis mean?
-ectasis is a suffix meaning dilation, expansion. It comes from Greek ektasis, a stretching out.
Inside words it is spelled ectasia.
Also spelled -ectasia. Atelectasis is not a widening: atel- means incomplete, so it is a collapsed lung.
In real words
Medical words with -ectasis
widening of the renal pelvis, the kidney's central collecting area, as urine builds up; usually found on a prenatal ultrasound
lymphangiectasia
abnormal widening of lymph vessels; in the small intestine it leaves them damaged and leaky
abnormal widening of a blood vessel
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with -ectasis
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 1.4 – Suffix – Building a Medical Terminology Foundation 2e
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- -ectasis - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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Changes in structure
-ectasis is one of 11 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson