Inflammation of a valve, especially a heart valve. [Mod. L. valvula, valve, + G. -itis, inflammation]
- rheumatic v. v. characterized in the acute stage by small fibrin vegetations along the lines of closure and by Aschoff bodies in the cusps; in the chronic stage, it is characterized by scarring, commissural adhesion, and stenosis and/or regurgitation.
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val·vu·li·tis .val-vyə-'līt-əs n inflammation of a valve esp. of the heart <rheumatic \valvulitis>
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n.
inflammation of one or more valves, particularly the heart valves. This may be acute or chronic and is most often due to rheumatic fever (see endocarditis).
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val·vu·li·tis (val″vu-liґtis) inflammation of a valve or valvula, especially a cardiac valve.Medical dictionary. 2011.