atresia

[ uh-tree-zhuh, -zhee-uh ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. the congenital absence, or the pathological closure, of an opening, passage, or cavity.

atresia

/ -ʒə; əˈtriːʒɪə /

noun

1. absence of or unnatural narrowing of a body channel

Other Words From

• a·tre·sic [uh, -, tree, -zik, -sik], a·tret·ic [uh, -, tret, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of atresia¹

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek a- a- ⁶ + três ( is ) perforation + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of atresia¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek atrētos not perforated

Example Sentences

Billy was born with a condition called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a severe heart defect that occurs in approximately one in 2,500 babies.

From Los Angeles Times

Diagnosed with biliary atresia, a bile ducts blockage, at eight weeks old, she now has end-stage liver failure.

From BBC

Within weeks he was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a blockage in the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder, a rare form of liver disease only seen in infants.

From Los Angeles Times

The condition called oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula happens when a baby is born without the pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach.

From BBC

Ryker was eventually diagnosed with a heart condition called tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia.

From Washington Times