Pannus is not the same thing as Panniculus

[woo woo 872]

Pannus is a medical term for an abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue or granulation tissue. Common sites for pannus formation include over the cornea, over a joint surface (as seen in rheumatoid arthritis), or on a prosthetic heart valve. Pannus may grow in a tumor-like fashion, as in joints where it may erode articular cartilage and bone.

The term pannus is often used incorrectly to refer to a panniculus (a hanging flap of tissue).

Panniculus is a medical term describing a dense layer of fatty tissue growth, consisting of subcutaneous fat in the lower abdominal area.^[1] It can be a result of obesity and can be mistaken for a tumor or hernia. Abdominal panniculus can be removed during abdominal panniculectomy, a type of abdominoplasty.

A panniculus can also be the result of loose tissues after pregnancy or massive weight loss

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panniculus and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pannus

[BKLYNgal87 503]

LOL - Yay for anatomy & physiology!

[JeanZ_RN 378]

Thanks! I did not know that, and I'm one who has been using the wrong term.

[katesuccess 990]

I love having the right terms for things lil ethos! Thank you Woo woo! It's one of those little things that drives me to distraction when folks use the wrong one over and over. Nice descriptions too. I hope to need that panniculectomy in the next year or so myself!

[NothingUpMySleeve 244]

Pannus Panniculus sounds like a Harry Potter spell---maybe the spell to make fat vanish.