ANATOMY Â© 2004 The Medicine Publishing Company Ltd1ANAESTHESIA AND INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE The sacrum is a large triangular bone formed from the five fused sacral vertebrae (Figure 1). Two rows of foramina on its dorsal and pelvic surfaces divide it into a median portion, the body and two lateral masses.
Edema or Ådema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitium, located beneath the skin and in the cavities of the body, which can cause severe pain. Clinically, edema manifests as swelling. The amount of interstitial fluid is determined by the balance of fluid homeostasis; and the increased secretion of fluid into the interstitium, or the impaired removal of the fluid, can cause the condition. The word is from Greek Î¿á¼´Î´Î·Î¼Î± oÃ­dÄma meaning swelling.
Edema, or water retention, causes swelling in the affected part of the body. Edema is swelling that occurs when too much fluid becomes trapped in the tissues of the body, particularly the skin. There are different causes and types of edema. Pulmonary edema, for example, affects the lungs, while pedal edema causes swelling in the feet. Edema usually starts slowly, but onset can be sudden. It is a common problem, but it can also be the sign of a serious condition.