atelectasis

at·el·ec·ta·sis

noun \ˌa-tə-ˈlek-tə-səs\

plural at·el·ec·ta·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of ATELECTASIS

: collapse of the expanded lung; also : defective expansion of the pulmonary alveoli at birth

Origin of ATELECTASIS

New Latin, from Greek atelēs incomplete, defective (from a- ²a- + telos end) + ektasis extension, from ekteinein to stretch out, from ex- + teinein to stretch — more at telos, thin

First Known Use: 1859

at·el·ec·ta·sis

noun \ˌat-^əl-ˈek-tə-səs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; at·el·ec·ta·ses \-ˌsēz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of ATELECTASIS

: collapse of the expanded lung; also : defective expansion of the pulmonary alveoli at birth

—at·el·ec·tat·ic \-ek-ˈtat-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

atelectasis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Lack of expansion of pulmonary alveoli (see pulmonary alveolus). With a large-enough collapsed area, the victim stops breathing. In adhesive atelectasis, obstruction or lack of surface tension keeps a newborn's alveoli from expanding. Compression atelectasis is caused by external pressure. Obstructive atelectasis may be caused by blockage of a major airway or when pain from abdominal surgery keeps breathing too shallow to clear bronchial secretions; treatment involves removal of obstruction or fluids, control of infection, and lung reinflation.

Variants of ATELECTASIS

atelectasis or lung collapse