In order to know the meaning of irrigation we are going to proceed, first of all, to determine its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it derives from the Latin "irrigatio", which can be translated as "spray" or "water" and that it is the result of the sum of the following lexical components:
-The prefix «in-«, which means «inwards».
-The verb "rigare", which is synonymous with "water".
-The suffix "-cion", which is used to indicate "action and effect."
Therefore, this is what the act and result of irrigating is called.
What is irrigation
The verb irrigate, meanwhile, has three broad meanings. In the field of agriculture, it refers to irrigating a surface . For physiology, irrigating involves transporting blood to a part of the body through a vessel. In medicine, meanwhile, the action is linked to the introduction of a liquid into a body cavity .
Among the words that can function as synonyms for irrigation, taking into account its different uses, we find sprinkling, bath, enema, irrigation, shower, injection, help or even enema. Among its antonyms, however, we find aridity or drought.
Contribution of water to a crop
Irrigation, in this way, appears in different contexts. It may be the contribution of water that is made to a crop to cover its water needs. Because rainfall may be insufficient, irrigation makes up for this lack and allows plants to grow healthily.
Sprinkling, drainage, furrows and canals are various irrigation methods. The choice of one or another form of irrigation depends on the characteristics of the terrain, the crops and the climatic conditions.
Irrigation in biology and medicine
Blood irrigation , on the other hand, causes blood to circulate through the body and reach the tissues and organs with the nutrients essential for life. Vessels such as capillaries, arteries and veins provide irrigation.
Irrigation, meanwhile, is the process that allows washing a body cavity. In case of poisoning, to cite one case, irrigation can be used to wash the intestines.
Thus, within the healthcare field we have to establish that there is also what is known as colonic irrigation . This is a colon cleansing, which can also be called colon therapy. You should know that, as a general rule, it is performed prior to any medical test or procedure such as a colonoscopy.
This aforementioned cleaning is carried out by introducing large amounts of water through the colon and that is something that is carried out through a tube that is placed in the rectum area. It should be noted that not all medical professionals agree with performing this type of cleaning because they consider that it can cause various problems for the patient in question, such as nausea, diarrhea or bloating.