Dictionary

ileus en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈɪliəs/

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin īleus, from Ancient Greek εἰλεός (eileós, “intestinal obstruction”).

Meanings

1. (qualifier:modern usage) Disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract, due to failure of peristalsis.
2. (archaic, qualifier:broad definition) Disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract from any cause.
   • You must expect to lose from 40% to 60% of all acute post operative ileuses, and about 20% of your sub-acute cases. 1921, Western Osteopathic Association et al., The Western osteopath, volume 16, page 20:
   • 1796, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia, Volume II: Classes of Diseases, IV: Diseases of Association, Ordo III: Retrograde Associate Motions, Genus II: Catenated with sensitive motions, The perpetual vomiting in ileus is caused in like manner by the defective excitement of the sensorial power of association by the bowel, which is torpid during the intervals of pain; and the stomach sympathizes with it.
   • When ileus comes on in a case of strangury, they prove fatal in seven days, unless, fever supervening, there be a copious discharge of urine. 1849, Hippocrates, translated by Francis Adams, Aphorisms:
   • Thus, ileus also has potential detrimental effects in sterile peritonitis by providing a source and mechanism for entry of bacteria into the peritoneal cavity. Other factors commonly encountered in animals with peritonitis may also predispose to adynamic ileus. 2002, Douglas H. Slatter, Textbook of Small Animal Surgery, volume 1, page 420:

Forms

Deriveds

dynamic ileus · occlusive ileus · mechanical ileus · hyperdynamic ileus · adynamic ileus · spastic ileus · paralytic ileus · ileus subparta · meconium ileus

Relateds

volvulus

Translations (16)

sv tarmstopp (obstruction of the intestines) · de Darmverschluss (obstruction of the intestines) · kk ішектік бітеліс (obstruction of the intestines) · grc εἰλεός (obstruction of the intestines) · bg преплитане на червата (obstruction of the intestines) · es íleo (obstruction of the intestines) · pl niedrożność jelit (obstruction of the intestines) · ru за́ворот кишо́к (obstruction of the intestines) · cmn 腸梗阻 /肠梗阻 (obstruction of the intestines) · ru кише́чная непроходи́мость (obstruction of the intestines) · sv tarmvred (obstruction of the intestines) · fi suolitukos (obstruction of the intestines) · sv ileus (obstruction of the intestines) · cmn 腸阻塞 /肠阻塞 (obstruction of the intestines) · fr iléus (obstruction of the intestines) · cs ileus (obstruction of the intestines)