Enterophthisis

/ˌɛntərəfˈθɪsɪs/ noun

Definition

A wasting disease of the intestines, causing the intestinal tissue to deteriorate and shrink as the body loses weight and nutrition.

Etymology

From Greek 'enteron' (intestine) + 'phthisis' (wasting disease, from 'phthiein' meaning to waste away). This term combines roots for a disease where intestines literally waste away.

Kelly Says

Phthisis traditionally meant tuberculosis because it causes wasting, and enterophthisis describes that same devastating shrinking and wasting when it specifically attacks your intestines—it's one of the oldest medical terms still occasionally used.

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