diffuse
Meaning of diffuse: Diffuse describes a finding, symptom, or process that is spread broadly through a tissue or region rather than confined to one specific area.
Definition of diffuse
Diffuse describes something that is spread widely throughout a tissue, organ, or region rather than being confined to a single, well-defined area. The term is used to describe pain, such as diffuse abdominal pain felt broadly rather than in one spot, as well as imaging and pathology findings that involve a tissue broadly rather than as an isolated lesion.
A diffuse process typically affects an organ or region in a widespread and often relatively uniform pattern, in contrast to a focal process, which is limited to a specific, localized area. This distinction is clinically useful because diffuse and focal patterns can point toward different underlying causes.
Whether a finding is described as diffuse or focal is often one of the first characteristics noted when interpreting an imaging study, physical examination finding, or pathology specimen.
Used in a sentence
The scan showed diffuse thickening of the bowel wall rather than a focal mass.
Good to know
Diffuse and focal describe opposite patterns of distribution, widespread involvement versus a single localized area, and this distinction often narrows the range of likely underlying causes.