(ăb′sĕs)
[Pronunciation]
[L. abscessus, a going away]

A localized collection of pus in any body part, resulting from invasion of a pyogenic bacterium or other pathogen.
Staphylococcus aureus (e.g., methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus [MRSA]) is a common cause. The abscess is surrounded by a membrane of variable strength created by macrophages, fibrin, and granulation tissue. Abscesses can disrupt function in adjacent tissues and can be life threatening in some circumstances (e.g., in the lung or within the peritoneal cavity).




See: inflammation; pus; suppuration
See: Standard Precautions Appendix

Subentries:
acute abscess
alveolar abscess
amebic abscess
anorectal abscess
apical abscess
appendicular abscess
axillary abscess
Bartholin's abscess
bicameral abscess
bile duct abscess
biliary abscess
bone abscess
brain abscess
breast abscess
Brodie's abscess
bursal abscess
canalicular abscess
caseous abscess
cerebral abscess
cholangitic abscess
chronic abscess
circumtonsillar abscess
cold abscess
collar-button abscesses
dental abscess
dentoalveolar abscess
diffuse abscess
dry abscess
embolic abscess
emphysematous abscess
endamebic abscess
epidural abscess
extradural abscess
fecal abscess
filarial abscess
follicular abscess
fungal abscess
gas abscess
gingival abscess
helminthic abscess
hemorrhagic abscess
hepatic abscess
hot abscess
hypostatic abscess
idiopathic abscess
iliac abscess
iliopsoas abscess
intracranial abscess
intradural abscess
intraperitoneal abscess
ischiorectal abscess
kidney abscess
lacrimal abscess
lateral alveolar abscess
liver abscess
lumbar abscess
lung abscess
lymphatic abscess
mammary abscess
mastoid abscess
metastatic abscess
miliary abscesses
milk abscess
mycotic abscess
nocardial abscess
orbital abscess
palatal abscess
palmar abscess
pancreatic abscess
parafrenal abscess
parametric abscess
paranephric abscess
parapancreatic abscess
parietal abscess
parotid abscess
pelvic abscess
perianal abscess
periapical abscess
pericemental abscess
pericoronal abscess
peridental abscess
perinephric abscess
periodontal abscess
peripancreatic abscess
peripleuritic abscess
periproctic abscess
peritoneal abscess
peritonsillar abscess
periureteral abscess
periurethral abscess
perivesical abscess
pneumococcic abscess
prelacrimal abscess
premammary abscess
prostatic abscess
protozoal abscess
psoas abscess
pulp abscess
pyemic abscess
rectal abscess
renal abscess
retrocecal abscess
retromammary abscess
retroperitoneal abscess
retropharyngeal abscess
retrovesical abscess
root abscess
sacrococcygeal abscess
septicemic abscess
spermatic abscess
spinal abscess
splenic abscess
stercoraceous abscess
stercoral abscess
sterile abscess
stitch abscess
streptococcal abscess
subaponeurotic abscess
subarachnoid abscess
subareolar abscess
subdiaphragmatic abscess
subdural abscess
subfascial abscess
subgaleal abscess
subpectoral abscess
subperiosteal abscess
subperitoneal abscess
subphrenic abscess
subscapular abscess
subungual abscess
sudoriparous abscess
suprahepatic abscess
syphilitic abscess
thecal abscess
thymus abscess
tonsillar abscess
tooth abscess
tropical abscess
tuberculous abscess
tubo-ovarian abscess
tympanitic abscess
tympanocervical abscess
tympanomastoid abscess
urethral abscess
urinary abscess
urinous abscess
verminous abscess
wandering abscess
warm abscess
worm abscess