dehiscence

[ dih-his-uhns ]

noun

1. Biology. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
2. Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
3. Surgery. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.

dehiscence

/ dĭ-hĭs′əns /

1. The spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents.
2. Compare indehiscence

Other Words From

• de·hiscent adjective
• nonde·hiscent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dehiscence¹

1820–30; < New Latin dēhiscentia, equivalent to Latin dēhiscent- stem of dēhiscēns, present participle of dēhiscere ( dehisce ) + -ia; -ence

Example Sentences

“I had superior semicircular canal dehiscence. In English that means I had a hole in my head.”

From Washington Post

According to a 2010 study in the Archives of Gynecology and obstetrics, 1.2 percent of C-section recoveries are impacted by dehiscence.

From Fox News

Gopen is one of a handful of physicians with expertise in superior semicircular canal dehiscence, or SSCD, a condition that results from an abnormal opening in the inner ear’s balance chamber.

From Washington Times

In that condition, called superior semicircular canal dehiscence, an opening in one of the canals of the inner ear causes vertigo and/or auditory disturbances.

From Washington Post

The syndrome results from a dehiscence — a thinning or a hole in the temporal bone, which covers the fluid-filled canal in the inner ear.

From Washington Post