Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
fluc·tu·a·tion Pronunciation:
"fl&k-ch&-'wA-sh&n Function:
noun 1 : a motion like that of waves;
especially : the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion
2 a : a slight andnonheritable variation;
especially : such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors
b : recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form,size, or color of a bodily part) —
fluc·tu·ate /'fl&k-ch&-"wAt/ verb -at·ed;
-at·ing
[fluhk-choo-ey-shuh
n] 