What is the Difference Between Dilation and Dilatation?

Dilation and dilatation are terms used in radiology and medicine to describe the expansion of a hollow anatomical or pathological structure, such as vessels, cardiac chambers, cerebral ventricles, urinary tract, cysts, and prostheses like stents and angioplasty balloons. Both terms are synonymous and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. However, some sources suggest a minor distinction between the two:

• Dilation: Refers to situations where there has been an active process by which a structure is enlarged, such as dilation of pupils by an ophthalmologist.
• Dilatation: Refers to situations where the stretching has occurred pathologically, such as dilatation of the bowel proximal to an obstruction.

Despite this distinction, many clinicians use the words interchangeably, and standard medical dictionaries explicitly state that there is only one verb form "to dilate" and no word "to dilatate". In general, the choice between dilation and dilatation depends on the context and the reference source.

Comparative Table: Dilation vs Dilatation

Dilation and dilatation are synonymous terms used in various fields to refer to the enlargement of a particular feature. However, there are some slight differences in how they are used in specific contexts. Here is a table summarizing the differences between dilation and dilatation:

In general, "dilation" refers to the act of making something wider or larger, while "dilatation" typically refers to the process of being enlarged or the result of such a process. In biology and medicine, the terms can be used interchangeably, but "dilation" seems to be more commonly preferred over "dilatation". The distinction between the two terms is quite subtle, and in many contexts, they can be considered interchangeable.