Ascites vs. Anasarca

Ascitesnoun

(medicine) An accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, frequently symptomatic of liver disease.

Ascitesnoun

A collection of serous fluid in the cavity of the abdomen; dropsy of the peritoneum.

Ascitesnoun

accumulation of serous fluid in peritoneal cavity

Ascites

Ascites is the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen. Technically, it is more than 25 ml of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, although volumes greater than one liter may occur.

Anasarcanoun

(medicine) Severe generalised oedema.

Anasarcanoun

Dropsy of the subcutaneous cellular tissue; an effusion of serum into the cellular substance, occasioning a soft, pale, inelastic swelling of the skin.

Anasarcanoun

generalized edema with accumulation of serum in subcutaneous connective tissue

Anasarca

Anasarca is a severe and generalized form of edema, with subcutaneous tissue swelling throughout the body. Unlike edema, which almost everyone will experience at some time and can be relatively benign, Anasarca is a pathological process reflecting a severe disease state and can involve the cavities of the body in addition to the tissues.