How Do You Spell WANDERING BREAST?

1. The term "wandering breast" refers to a medical condition known as "pectus carinatum" or "pigeon chest." It is a structural deformity of the chest wall where the sternum protrudes outward, causing the breastbone to appear more prominent and "wandering" from its normal position. This condition can affect both children and adults, but typically becomes more noticeable during adolescence.

   A wandering breast occurs due to an abnormal growth of the rib cage that leads to an uneven development of the sternum. It is often attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors; however, the exact cause remains unclear. The deformity can vary in severity and may result in cosmetic concerns.

   While wandering breast is primarily a cosmetic issue, it can sometimes cause physical discomfort or complications, such as respiratory difficulties or decreased lung capacity. Treatment options for this condition depend on the severity and individual circumstances. Non-surgical approaches such as bracing or physical therapy exercises may be recommended for milder cases, aiming to correct the abnormal growth. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to realign the chest wall and correct the wandering breast.

   Overall, a wandering breast refers to the physical manifestation of pectus carinatum, in which the sternum protrudes outward, causing the breastbone to wander from its normal position. It is a condition that can impact both appearance and, in some cases, physical health.

2. Mamma erratica.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for WANDERING BREAST

The phrase "wandering breast" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can examine the origins of each word individually:

1. Wandering:

The word "wandering" comes from the Old English word "wandrian", which means "to move about, wander aimlessly". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "wandraną". The term is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "wem-", meaning "to run, wander".

2. Breast:

The word "breast" comes from the Old English word "breost", which originally referred to the whole chest area, including both male and female breasts. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "breustam" and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "bhreus-", meaning "to swell, sprout".