atelectasis

atelectasis definition - medical

at·e·lec·ta·sis (ătˌl-ĕkˈtə-sĭs)

noun
  1. The absence of gas from all or a part of the lungs, due to failure of expansion or resorption of gas from the alveoli.
  2. A congenital condition characterized by the incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth.

Related Forms:

  • atˌe·lec·tatˈic (-ĕk-tătˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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