mastitis
mas-TY-tis
/mæsˈtaɪ.tɪs/
Inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast or udder, typically due to bacterial infection.
Used in both human medicine and veterinary science, but in dairy farming, it represents a major economic and herd health concern.
The story behind the word. A medical compound combining the Greek mastos (meaning 'breast' or 'udder') with the medical suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation. It has been used since the 19th century to describe the painful, economically devastating mammary gland infection in dairy cows.
Word relationships
- mammary inflammation: Mammary inflammation is a descriptive phrase, while mastitis is the formal clinical diagnosis.
Commonly confused with
- congestion: Mammary congestion is simple engorgement with milk, whereas mastitis involves actual tissue inflammation and usually infection.
Word family
- mastitic (adjective): Affected with or relating to mastitis.
Collocations
- clinical mastitis
- subclinical mastitis
- mastitis prevention
- treat mastitis
Example sentences
- "Poor milking hygiene can lead to the spread of mastitis, reducing milk quality and causing discomfort to the cows." A handbook on dairy herd health management.
Memory hook
Mastitis: 'Mast' sounds like 'breast/udder' and '-itis' always means inflammation. Mastitis is udder inflammation.
When not to use
Do not use for general infections of other organs or limbs.
Fun facts
- Mastitis is the most costly disease in the dairy industry worldwide, costing billions of dollars annually in discarded milk and veterinary treatment.
Explore more words
veterinary, inflammation, veterinarian, gingivitis, mammal, zoonotic
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