tympanites

[ tim-puh-nahy-teez ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. distention of the abdominal wall, as in peritonitis, caused by the accumulation of gas or air in the intestine or peritoneal cavity.

tympanites

/ ˌtɪmpəˈnaɪtiːz; ˌtɪmpəˈnɪtɪk /

noun

1. distension of the abdomen caused by an abnormal accumulation of gas in the intestinal or peritoneal cavity, as in peritonitis Also calledmeteorismtympany

Derived Forms

• tympanitic, adjective

Other Words From

• tym·pa·nit·ic [tim-p, uh, -, nit, -ik], adjective
• subtym·pa·nitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tympanites¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin tympanītēs < Greek tympanī́tēs, derivative of týmpanon drum ( tympanum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of tympanites¹

C14: from Late Latin, from Greek tumpanitēs concerning a drum, from tumpanon drum

Example Sentences

Tympanites is rare in typhus fever.

From Project Gutenberg

But in typhoid fever we observe also as favorable signs the lessening of tympanites, more nearly natural fecal stools, and the absence of tenderness in any part of the abdomen.

From Project Gutenberg

As unfavorable, increase of tympanites and diarrhoea, sometimes large hemorrhages from the bowels; worst of all, at a late stage, sudden increase of abdominal distension, with dulness on percussion, coldness of the skin, great rapidity and feebleness of the pulse following perforation of the bowel, resulting usually in fatal peritonitis.

From Project Gutenberg

This is sometimes the consequence of very great tympanites, which, by interfering with the descent of the diaphragm, gives rise to dyspnoea, but it may also occur as a purely nervous phenomenon.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, tympanites is usually present in a sufficient degree to render this difficult.

From Project Gutenberg