What term means backward flow?

• A. Sagittal plane
• B. Reflux
• C. Occlusion
• D. Splenectomy

Answer: (B)

Backward flow is described by the term reflux. In medical terminology, reflux denotes the backward movement of fluids or contents through a passage that normally carries them in the opposite direction. For example, gastroesophageal reflux refers to stomach contents moving back into the esophagus; urinary tract reflux describes urine traveling backward toward the kidneys. The other terms have different meanings: the sagittal plane is an anatomical reference that divides the body into left and right portions; occlusion means blockage or closing of a vessel or passage; splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. So, reflux is the precise term for backward flow.