Devascular

Devascular is an adjective meaning deprived of a normal blood supply, or relating to the removal or interruption of blood vessels. In medical contexts, a devascularized tissue or area has reduced or absent perfusion, which can lead to ischemia and, if circulation is not restored, necrosis. The related verb devascularize means to cut off or reduce the blood supply to a tissue or organ. Devascularization is a process or procedure designed to decrease or eliminate blood flow to a target area.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from de- (away, off) and vascular (relating to blood vessels). It is used in pathology to describe tissue that has lost perfusion and in surgery or interventional radiology to describe deliberate interruption of blood supply to aid treatment.

Medical contexts: Devascularization can occur due to injury or disease, such as arterial occlusion or trauma, and may be described as devascularized tissue. It is also a planned surgical technique to control bleeding, shrink tissue, or facilitate resection. Examples include devascularization of a tumor to reduce intraoperative bleeding, or selective vascular control of pelvic organs during procedures. In radiology and interventional medicine, embolization or vessel ligation may produce targeted devascularization of a lesion or organ.

Related terms include ischemia, infarction, necrosis, and revascularization. Devascularization remains a descriptive term used across pathology, surgery, and radiology to indicate altered or lost blood supply.