dilaterar

Dilaterar is the present tense, third-person singular form of the Swedish verb dilatera, meaning to cause enlargement or widening of an opening, passage, or hollow structure. The term has Latin roots in dilatare and is used in medical, biological, and anatomical contexts to describe processes that increase diameter or capacity.

In medicine and biology, dilaterar describes actions that widen structures. Examples include dilating the pupil (mydriasis) during eye examinations, dilating blood vessels (vasodilation) in response to drugs or physiological signals, dilating the cervix in preparation for childbirth, and widening segments of the gastrointestinal tract in procedures like endoscopy or imaging. Dilation can be achieved by pharmacological agents (such as mydriatics or vasodilators), mechanical methods (for instance balloon dilation), or by natural physiological regulation.

Clinical relevance lies in the fact that appropriate dilatation enables diagnostic access and therapeutic interventions, while excessive or improper dilation can lead to complications such as tissue injury, bleeding, or pain. The extent and duration of dilation are monitored to ensure safety and effectiveness during procedures or treatment.

Etymology and usage notes: dilaterar is commonly found in Swedish clinical notes, anatomy texts, and medical descriptions to denote that a structure is being widened. It is contrasted with terms describing narrowing (stenosis) or contraction, which denote opposing processes.