photocoagulation

Pronunciation: fo'to-ko-ag'yu-la'shun

Definition: A method by which a beam of electromagnetic energy is directed to a desired tissue under visual control; localized coagulation results from absorption of light energy and its conversion to heat or conversion of tissue to plasma (atoms stripped of electrons).

[photo- + L. coagulo, pp. -atus, to curdle]

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© Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer. All Rights Reserved. Review date: Sep 19, 2016.

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