induratie

Induratie, often translated as induration, is a term used in Dutch to describe the process or result of hardening of tissue, an organ, or a material. The word derives from Latin indurare, meaning to harden, and is used in medical, dental, and scientific contexts to refer to a firm or solid state rather than softness or swelling.

In clinical medicine, induratie denotes a localized area of firm, non-fluctuant tissue that can be felt on palpation. It can arise from inflammation with fibrosis, calcification, scar formation, or the growth of a tumor. Induration is a sign that clinicians consider when assessing a lesion or an abnormality and may prompt further diagnostic testing.

In dermatology and infectious disease, induration is a common descriptor for skin and soft-tissue reactions. A well-known example is the tuberculin skin test, where an area of induration forms at the injection site; the size of this hardened area is measured to interpret the likelihood of a tuberculosis infection. Induration must be distinguished from edema, which is soft swelling, and from erythema, which is redness.

In dentistry, materials science, and pathology, induration also refers to the hardening of materials (such as impression materials or resins) during curing, as well as the hardening of biological tissues due to fibrotic processes. The term is a general indicator of a shift from a softer to a firmer state.