co
ma
Plural
comas
1
a state of deep unconsciousness, typically of a long duration and caused by a serious injury or severe illness
A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness where a person cannot be woken up, open their eyes, or respond to their environment. It can be caused by various factors, such as severe head injury, stroke, drug overdose, or metabolic disorders. While in a coma, the brain's activity is significantly reduced, and the person is unable to perform voluntary actions. Comas can range in duration from a few days to several weeks or even longer. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and providing supportive care to protect the person's health and promote recovery if possible.
- The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
- After the accident, he fell into a coma and needed intensive care.
- Doctors monitored her brain activity while she was in a coma.
- He emerged from a coma but struggled with memory loss.
- The medical team worked hard to determine the cause of his coma.
Synonyms:
2
(astronomy) the luminous cloud of particles surrounding the frozen nucleus of a comet; forms as the comet approaches the sun and is warmed
3
(botany) a usually terminal tuft of bracts (as in the pineapple) or tuft of hairs (especially on certain seeds)