perfuse

verb

per·​fuse (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüz 

perfused; perfusing

transitive verb

1

: suffuse

2

a

: to cause to flow or spread : diffuse

b

: to force a fluid through (an organ or tissue) especially by way of the blood vessels

perfusion

(ˌ)pər-ˈfyü-zhən 

noun

Examples of perfuse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent research suggests that mycorrhizal networks also perfuse prairies, grasslands, chaparral and Arctic tundra — essentially everywhere there is life on land. —Julia Skinner, Longreads, 16 July 2022

Several thousand patients had such severe problems with their hearts and lungs that doctors had to divert their blood out of their bodies and perfuse it with oxygen by machine—a last ditch treatment known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2012

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin perfusus, past participle of perfundere to pour over, from per- through + fundere to pour — more at found

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

perfuse

transitive verb

per·​fuse (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüz 

perfused; perfusing

1

: suffuse

the skin was perfused by blood

2

a

: to cause to flow or spread : diffuse

b

: to force a fluid through (an organ or tissue) especially by way of the blood vessels

perfuse a liver with salt solution