distensible

Distensible is an adjective describing something that can be distended or expanded by internal pressure or force. It is used in physiology to describe tissues, organs, or vessels that can enlarge to accommodate increased volume without rupturing. The property is often quantified as distensibility or compliance, commonly defined as the change in volume per unit change in pressure (ΔV/ΔP); in some contexts the relative change in diameter or volume per pressure is used.

In biology and medicine, distensible structures include arteries, veins, the stomach, bladder, and lungs, which distend as they fill. Arterial distensibility decreases with age and disease, contributing to hypertension and altered flow. Bladder distensibility affects storage and voiding, and reduced compliance can accompany certain urological conditions. Stomach distension occurs during meals as gastric accommodation adapts to ingested food. Lungs rely on distensible airways and alveolar membranes to expand with inhalation, a process aided by surfactant.

In engineering and material science, distensible materials are elastomeric or flexible membranes that can be stretched or expanded, such as balloons, rubber sheets, or textile fabrics designed for expansion. The term does not imply unlimited stretch; it reflects the capacity to undergo reversible or gradual deformation under load.

Etymology and usage notes: distensible derives from Latin distendere "to stretch apart," with the -ible suffix meaning able. Related terms include distend, distension, and, in some contexts, distendable or expandable. Distensible is commonly used across biology, medicine, and materials science to describe the potential for enlargement under pressure.