Occlusion: meaning, definitions and examples
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occlusion
[ əˈkluːʒən ]
dental
The blockage or closing off of a blood vessel or hollow organ, such as a vessel or a cavity. In dentistry, occlusion refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed.
Synonyms
blockage, closure, obstruction
Examples of usage
- The dentist checked the patient's occlusion to ensure proper alignment of the teeth.
- Improper occlusion can lead to jaw pain and other dental issues.
ophthalmology
The obstruction or closing off of the visual field by an object, such as an eyelid or a foreign body. In ophthalmology, occlusion can also refer to the covering of one eye to improve vision in the other eye.
Synonyms
blockage, covering, obstruction
Examples of usage
- The doctor recommended occlusion therapy for the patient with amblyopia.
- The eye patch is used for occlusion of the affected eye.
Word origin
The word 'occlusion' has its origins in the Latin word 'occludere', which means 'to close off'. The term was first used in the field of dentistry to describe the alignment of teeth when the mouth is closed. Over time, it has been adopted in other medical fields to refer to the blockage or closing off of various structures, such as blood vessels or visual fields.
See also: occlude.