What term describes swelling in the body?

The term that describes swelling in the body is "edema." Edema refers specifically to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body's tissues, which can occur in various areas, such as the legs, feet, and abdomen. This condition can result from a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, or other medical conditions that affect fluid balance.

Other terms related to bodily changes can sometimes be confused with edema. For example, atrophy refers to the reduction in size or wasting away of an organ or tissue, often due to lack of use or disease. Fibrosis is the thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually as a result of injury or inflammation, but it does not describe swelling. Inflammation is a broader response of the body's immune system to injury, infection, or irritation, which can cause swelling but also includes redness, heat, and pain. Edema is specifically focused on the fluid accumulation leading to swelling.