Patency
Patency refers to the state of being open or unobstructed. In a medical context, it is often used to describe the openness of blood vessels, ducts, or tubes.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
In medicine, patency is a critical factor in the functioning of many body systems. For example, the patency of blood vessels is essential for the circulation of blood and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Similarly, the patency of the gastrointestinal tract is necessary for the digestion and absorption of food.
In some cases, medical interventions may be necessary to maintain or restore patency. For example, a stent may be inserted into a blood vessel to keep it open. Similarly, a nasogastric tube may be used to maintain the patency of the gastrointestinal tract in patients who are unable to eat or drink.
Patency in Different Body Systems[edit | edit source]
Cardiovascular System[edit | edit source]
In the cardiovascular system, patency refers to the openness of the blood vessels. This is critical for the circulation of blood and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Conditions such as atherosclerosis can lead to a loss of patency in the blood vessels, leading to conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Gastrointestinal System[edit | edit source]
In the gastrointestinal system, patency refers to the openness of the digestive tract. This is necessary for the digestion and absorption of food. Conditions such as obstruction can lead to a loss of patency in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to conditions such as malnutrition and dehydration.
Respiratory System[edit | edit source]
In the respiratory system, patency refers to the openness of the airways. This is critical for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to a loss of patency in the airways, leading to difficulty breathing.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Patency Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
