What is the term for the accumulation of fluid in the tissues?

The term for the accumulation of fluid in the tissues is "edema." Edema refers specifically to the swelling that occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body's tissues, often noticeable in various parts of the body such as the legs, arms, and face. It can result from various conditions, including inflammation, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Hydrops typically refers to an abnormal accumulation of fluid in specific cavities of the body, rather than the general term for fluid accumulation in tissues. Dropsy is an older term that was used synonymously with edema but is not as commonly used in modern medical language. Ascites specifically refers to the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, so it does not encompass fluid accumulation in other tissues. Therefore, edema is the most appropriate term for the accumulation of fluid in tissues overall.