võõrkehast

Võõrkehast is an Estonian term that translates to "foreign body" in English. It refers to any object or substance that is present in a location where it does not naturally belong, particularly within a living organism or a specific environment. The concept of a võõrkeha is relevant in various fields, including medicine, zoology, and engineering.

In a medical context, a võõrkeha can be a foreign object lodged in the body, such as a splinter under the skin, a swallowed coin, or a piece of debris in the eye. These can cause irritation, pain, infection, or more severe complications depending on the size, location, and nature of the object. Medical professionals often need to diagnose and remove võõrkehad to restore health.

In zoology, a võõrkeha might describe something alien introduced into an ecosystem or an organism. This could include invasive species that disrupt natural balances or foreign particles ingested by animals.

The term can also be used more broadly to describe any out-of-place object or element in a system or environment, such as a faulty component in a machine or an unexpected item in a sample. The primary characteristic of a võõrkeha is its foreignness and its potential to cause disruption or require removal.