APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. the abnormal narrowing of a body conduit or passage. Carotid stenosis is narrowing of a carotid artery, such as by atherosclerosis, which limits blood flow to the brain; aortic stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve leading from the left ventricle, thereby restricting blood flow from the heart to the general circulation; pyloric stenosis restricts the flow of stomach contents into the small intestine; and spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening in the spinal column, thereby restricting the spinal cord and resulting in numbness and pain in the lower back and legs. —stenotic adj.