vegetation
Irregular mass of fibrin, platelets, and microorganisms attached to cardiac valves or endocardium in infective endocarditis.
Full Definition
In cardiovascular pathology, vegetation refers to the characteristic lesion of infective endocarditis consisting of an irregular, friable mass composed of fibrin, platelets, inflammatory cells, and colonies of microorganisms adherent to cardiac valves or mural endocardium. These structures represent the host response to bacterial, fungal, or other microbial invasion of the endocardial surface. Vegetations can vary in size from small, barely visible nodules to large, bulky masses that may interfere with valve function or serve as sources of systemic emboli. The gross and microscopic appearance of vegetations provides important diagnostic information about the causative organism and chronicity of infection.
Usage
Usage note: In cardiac contexts, always refers to infective lesions, not the general biological meaning of plant life.
In Context
- "Large, friable vegetations were present on both the aortic and mitral valves at autopsy." — Post-mortem examination report
- "Echocardiographic findings suggested the presence of vegetations on the tricuspid valve leaflets." — Clinical pathology correlation