Erosion means a process of gradual wearing down of structures in the body. The term is applied to the e?ect of tumours, when they cause destruction of tissue in their neighbourhood without actually growing into the latter: for example, an ANEURYSM may erode bones in its neighbourhood. The term is also applied to minute ulcers – for example, erosions of the stomach, caused by extreme acidity of the gastric juice.
Dental erosion is the loss of tooth substance due to a cause other than decay or trauma. This is usually as a result of the presence of acid; for example, frequent vomiting or the excessive intake of citrus fruits. The teeth appear very smooth and later develop saucer-shaped depressions.
n. 1. an eating away of surface tissue by physical or chemical processes, including those associated with inflammation. In the skin, an erosion represents a superficial type of ulceration and therefore heals quite readily. 2. (in dentistry) loss of non-carious tooth surface, usually caused by repeated application of acid, which softens the enamel. It may result from excessive intake of fruit juice, carbonated drinks, or acidic fruits or by regurgitation of acid from the stomach, as in bulimia nervosa, hiatus hernia, alcoholism, or stress (see gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). The teeth become very sensitive. The aetiology should be identified and corrected; severe cases may require extensive dental restorations.
an empirically observed phenomenon whereby medical students and doctors become less morally sensitive and ethically aware due to increasing cynicism, the negative effects of health-care training and practice, and the desire to ‘fit in’ with others in the profession.... ethical erosion
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