Which term describes swelling due to abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues?

• A. Dropsy
• B. Edema
• C. Anasarca
• D. Hydrocele

Answer: (A)

Swelling from abnormal fluid buildup in tissues is described in modern medicine as edema. In many traditional or older medical texts—and in some parts of aromatherapy and massage literature—the same condition is referred to as dropsy. The key idea is fluid escaping into interstitial spaces and causing puffiness, which can show up in various tissues.

Edema is the standard term today, while dropsy is the historical name that means the same phenomenon. Anasarca refers to severe, widespread edema throughout the body, not just localized swelling. Hydrocele describes fluid accumulation around the testicle, a localized fluid collection rather than generalized tissue swelling. So the term that matches the described swelling, especially in older literature, is dropsy.