atresia

noun

atre·​sia ə-ˈtrē-zhə How to pronounce atresia (audio)
1
: absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
2
: absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (such as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

Examples of atresia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These follicles disintegrate, a process known as atresia. Andrea L. Braden, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 A’ja developed a benign tumor on her lip and Kyrie was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a liver disease that will require Kyrie to undergo a transplant. Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 7 Oct. 2019 Sadie was born with biliary atresia, a condition in infants in which the bile ducts outside and inside the liver are scarred and blocked, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Fernando Alfonso Iii, CNN, 12 Sep. 2019 This is due to atresia, the ASRM explains, or the natural process through which follicles that house eggs in the ovaries degenerate and die. Natasha Lavender, SELF, 22 Aug. 2019 Didn’t Want to Get Too Close’ to Son Billy at First Kimmel and his wife revealed that their son underwent two heart surgeries after he was born with a congenital heart condition, tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Mike Miller, PEOPLE.com, 23 Apr. 2018 The Jimmy Kimmel Live host’s son was born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Jessica Derschowitz, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2018 Kimmel's son Billy, who turns one in April, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, which kicked off his crusade for affordable health care. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2018 Robertson, who lists his favorite wrestlers as John Cena and Roman Reigns, was stricken at birth with biliary atresia, a liver disease that stunted his growth and has required two transplants among 36 surgeries. Gene Guillot, NOLA.com, 26 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from a- entry 2 + Greek trēsis perforation, from tetrainein to pierce — more at throw entry 1

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of atresia was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near atresia

Cite this Entry

“Atresia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atresia. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

atresia

noun
atre·​sia ə-ˈtrē-zhə How to pronounce atresia (audio)
1
: absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
atresia of the small intestine
2
: absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

More from Merriam-Webster on atresia

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!