foreign body

[/ˈfɔːrən ˈbɑːdi/]
nounpl: foreign bodies
corpo estranho
1. An object that has entered the body from outside and does not belong there, often causing discomfort or requiring medical removal
The doctor removed a foreign body from the patient's eye.
O médico removeu um corpo estranho do olho do paciente.
2. Any unwanted or out-of-place object in a system or environment
The rust particles were foreign bodies in the water system.
As partículas de ferrugem eram corpos estranhos no sistema de água.
3. In medical contexts, an object that has been accidentally or intentionally introduced into a body cavity or tissue
A foreign body lodged in the throat required emergency intervention.
Um corpo estranho preso na garganta exigiu intervenção de emergência.
This is primarily a medical and technical term used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese healthcare contexts. It is especially common in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and surgical settings. In Brazil, 'corpo estranho' is the standard term used in hospitals and medical literature. The phrase can also be used metaphorically to describe someone or something that doesn't belong in a particular environment or group.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
extraneous objectexternal objectunwanted objectintruding object
Antonyms / Antônimos
native substanceindigenous material

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
corpo estranho
Standard medical and general usage term
Rio de Janeiro
corpo estranho
Same as general Brazilian usage
São Paulo
corpo estranho
Same as general Brazilian usage
Portugal
corpo estranho
Identical usage in European Portuguese, commonly used in medical contexts

Related Words

aspirationingestionobstructionextractionmedical emergencycontamination

Related Idioms & Phrases

feel like a foreign body
act like a foreign body in the system
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