watershed infarction

noun

1

or watershed infarct medical : a localized area of ischemic tissue death in an area of the brain situated at the farthest point of blood supply from two separate cerebral arterial systems that is caused by inadequate blood flow (as from low blood pressure, vasculitis, or blood clot obstruction)

2

or watershed stroke medical : a stroke resulting from such ischemic tissue death

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

watershed infarction

noun

wa·​ter·​shed infarction ˈwȯ-tər-ˌshed- 

ˈwä-

1

or watershed infarct : a localized area of ischemic tissue death in an area of the brain situated at the farthest point of blood supply from two separate cerebral arterial systems that is caused by inadequate blood flow (as from low blood pressure, vasculitis, or blood clot obstruction)

2

or watershed stroke : a stroke resulting from such ischemic tissue death