| mIU | milli-international unit; one-thousandth of an international unit |
|---|---|
| MRU | mass radiography unit; minimal reproductive unit |
| PFU | plaque-forming unit; pock-forming unit |
| PICU | pediatric intensive care unit; pulmonary intensive care unit |
| PSU | photosynthetic unit; primary sampling unit |
| anterior border of lung | The thin anteromedial or sternal edge of the lung which overlaps the pericardial sac anteriorly and forms the boundary between the mediastinal and costal surfaces. Synonym: margo anterior pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| apex of lung | The rounded, upper extremity of each lung that extends into the cupula of the pleura. Synonym: apex pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apical interstitial lung disease | <radiology> A radiological diagnosis where fibrosis is seen in the apices (upper sections) of the lungs. Likely causes include: cystic fibrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis, silicosis, eosinophlic granuloma, TB and fungus, particularly aspergillus infection. (25 Jun 1999) |
| asbestos lung disease | <radiology> Pleural plaques, earliest finding, may be only evidence, parietal pleura, 15-20 yrs after exposure, calcified after ca. 30 yrs, asbestosis, interstitial lung disease, perihilar regions to lung bases, shaggy heart, no cavitation or progressive massive fibrosis as in silicosis, crocidolite (blue) form most carcinogenic, associated with: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, GI-tract malignancy (12 Dec 1998) |
| azygos lobe of lung | A small accessory lobe sometimes found on the apex of the right lung; separated from the rest of the upper lobe by a deep groove lodging the azygos vein. Synonym: lobus azygos. (05 Mar 2000) |
| base of lung | The lower concave part of the lung that rests upon the convexity of the diaphragm. Synonym: basis pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basilar interstitial lung disease | <radiology> B bronchiectasis, A asbestosis, D drugs / DIP, L lymphangitic metastasis / LAM, A aspiration, S sarcoidosis, S scleroderma (12 Dec 1998) |
| biopsy, open lung | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of lung tissue for microscopic analysis via a surgical incision in the chest wall. This test can be used to identify a variety of lung cancers, lung infections and lung diseases. (21 Mar 1998) |
| bird-breeder's lung | <chest medicine> Extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by an allergic reaction to components of the bird or bird droppings. (19 Jan 1998) |
| bird-fancier's lung | <chest medicine> A respiratory disorder due to an acquired hypersensitivity to the dust of bird droppings. It is often seen in pigeon breeder's, and is a form of extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The antigen protein is from bird serum, droppings, or feathers (12 Dec 1998) |
| black lung | A form of chronic clung disease which develops after prolonged exposure to coal dust. Advanced disease and scarring is evident on chest X-ray. Symptoms include wheezing, chronic cough and shortness of breath. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brown induration of the lung | A condition characterised by firmness of the lungs, and a brown colour associated with haemosiderin-pigmented macrophages in alveoli, consequent upon long-continued congestion due to heart disease. Synonym: pigment induration of the lung. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brown lung | Obstructive airway disease with asthma produced by exposure to cotton dust, flax or hemp. See: byssinosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| butterfly lung | Haemorrhagic markings appearing on an animal's lung after inoculation with Leptospira interrogans (L. Icterohaemorrhagiae). (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer, lung | Cancer of the major organ of respiration the lung. Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Since the majority of lung cancer is diagnosed at a relatively late stage, only 10% of all lung cancer patients are ultimately cured. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small cell cancers. Persistent cough and bloody sputum can be symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer can be diagnosed based on examination of sputum, or tissue examination with biopsy using bronchoscopy, needle through the chest wall, or surgical excision. (12 Dec 1998) |