Definition
A type of soft-tissue swelling caused by fluid buildup under the skin, in which firm finger pressure leaves a visible indentation (a 'pit') that slowly refills after the finger is removed. In aviation medicine, it is one of the visible signs associated with decompression sickness, particularly when fluid shifts occur in the limbs.
Plain English
Swelling under the skin where pressing with a finger leaves a dent that takes a moment to fade. It is a sign that fluid is collecting in the tissues.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of altitude-induced decompression sickness symptoms, especially after flight at high altitude, loss of cabin pressure, or rapid decompression exposure.
Derivation
Pitting' comes from the small pit left by finger pressure. 'Edema' comes from the Greek 'oidema', meaning swelling. Together the term simply describes swelling that holds a pit when pressed.
Why Pilots Care
It is one of the visible signs of altitude-induced decompression sickness; continued flight can worsen symptoms and impair pilot performance.
Analogy
It is like pressing a finger into soft clay: the spot does not spring back right away, so a small dent remains for a while.
Grounding Statement
If a swollen area keeps the shape of your fingertip briefly after you press it, that is the key idea behind pitting edema.
Intuition Check
Do not read pitting here as aircraft surface pitting or corrosion. In this medical use, pitting means a temporary dent left in swollen body tissue.
Example Sentence 1
After a high-altitude flight, the pilot noticed pitting edema in his lower legs and reported it to an aviation medical examiner.
Example Sentence 2
The crew descended immediately when one passenger developed pitting edema and joint pain consistent with decompression sickness.