What it means
A stricture usually forms from scar tissue after inflammation, injury, surgery or radiation, or from a tumor. An esophageal stricture can make swallowing hard, often after long-term acid reflux. A urethral stricture slows the urine stream. Bowel strictures, as in Crohn's disease, can cause blockage. Treatment includes stretching (dilation), stents or surgery.
For the nurse
A urethral stricture can make it hard to pass a urinary catheter: never force it, stop and report.
At a glance
| Spanish | estenosis, estrechez |
|---|---|
| Also written | strictures |
Related terms
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
bowel obstruction
A partial or complete blockage that stops food, fluid and gas from moving through the small or large bowel.