Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Tetralogy of Fallot
Pronunciation: teh-TRAL-oh-jee of fah-LOW
A complex congenital heart defect comprising four anatomical abnormalities that commonly appear together.
Full Definition
Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect, consisting of four key components: ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and overriding aorta. This condition results in reduced blood flow to the lungs and mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Children with this condition often exhibit central cyanosis and may assume a characteristic squatting position to improve blood flow.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as TOF in clinical documentation. Ensure correct spelling of 'Fallot' - commonly misspelled.
In Context
- "The patient was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot at six months of age and underwent corrective surgery." — Medical case report
- "Tetralogy of Fallot accounts for approximately 3-5% of all congenital heart defects." — Clinical research paper
Also known as
TOF
Don't confuse with
Pentalogy of Fallot
Trilogy of Fallot