What is the medical term for swelling?

The medical term for swelling is "edema." This term specifically refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues, which can occur in various parts of the body and is often a response to injury or inflammation. Edema can manifest as noticeable swelling in areas such as the legs, feet, or ankles and may be indicative of underlying health conditions.

Hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of an organ or tissue through the enlargement of its cells, rather than an accumulation of fluid. Injury commonly refers to physical damage to the body, which may lead to inflammation and, potentially, edema, but does not specifically denote the swelling itself. Inflammation is a response of body tissues to injury or infection, which can involve swelling as one of its signs, but encompasses a broader range of symptoms and processes, including redness, heat, pain, and loss of function. Thus, edema is the precise term used when specifically referring to swelling caused by fluid accumulation.