| interstitial lung disease | <chest medicine> A group of lung disorders which result in scarring and dysfunction of the alveolus (air sac) in the lung. This results in poor oxygen diffusion from the air into the bloodstream. Widespread inflammation in the lung leads to fibrosis (scarring). Causes include chronic exposure to organic and inorganic dusts, fumes, vapors, radiation, medications and certain lung infections. Examples include asbestosis, silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and diffuse interstitial fibrosis. Smoking increases the risk in all cases. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| iron lung | A mechanical respirator in which the body except the head is encased within a metal tank, which is sealed at the neck with an airtight gasket; artificial respiration is induced by making the air pressure inside negative. Synonym: iron lung, tank respirator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oblique fissure of lung | The deep fissure in each lung that runs obliquely downward and forward. It divides the upper and lower lobes of the left lung and separates the upper and middle lobes from the lower lobe of the right lung. Synonym: fissura obliqua pulmonis, major fissure, oblique fissure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obstructive lung disease | <chest medicine> A form of lung disease that manifests as acute or chronic, narrowing or blockage of the smaller airways in the lungs, causing increased resistance to airflow in the bronchial tubes (for example asthma, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from smoking). (27 Sep 1997) |
| occupational lung disease | Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs secondary to the repeated inhalation of dust associated with some occupation. Examples include silica, asbestos and coal dust exposure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| open lung biopsy | <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) |
| thresher's lung | <chest medicine> Type III hypersensitivity response to Micropolyspora faeni, a thermophilic bacterium found in mouldy hay. (18 Nov 1997) |
| total lung capacity | The volume of air contained in the lungs at the end of a maximal inspiration. It is the equivalent to each of the following sums: vital capacity plus residual volume; inspiratory capacity plus functional residual capacity; tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume plus functional residual capacity; tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume plus residual volume. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endstage lung | Severe diffuse interstitial fibrosis and honeycombing. (05 Mar 2000) |
| transplant lung syndrome | <syndrome> A syndrome associated with fever and diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltration mainly at the base or at the hilum of the lung; can accompany rejection of an organ (kidney) transplant or follow a reduction in dosage of an immunosuppressive drug. (05 Mar 2000) |
| transverse fissure of the lung | The deep fissure that separates the upper and middle lobes of the right lung. Synonym: fissura horizontalis pulmonis dextri, horizontal fissure of right lung, minor fissure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| trench lung | A psychogenic hyperventilation marked by paroxysmal attacks of rapid breathing, without any signs of organic disease, observed in stressful situations such as battle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinophilic lung disease | <radiology> Idiopathic: Loeffler pneumonia, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, specific: drugs (e.g., nitrofurantoin), parasites, fungi (ABPA, bronchocentric granulomatosis), vasculitis / granulomatosis: Wegener's granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa, sarcoidal angiitis (12 Dec 1998) |
| extravascular lung water | <physiology> Water present within the lungs; its volume is roughly equal to, or a little less than, the intracellular blood volume of the lungs. Accumulations of extravascular lung water result in pulmonary oedema. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Farmer's lung | <chest medicine> Type III hypersensitivity response to Micropolyspora faeni, a thermophilic bacterium found in mouldy hay. (18 Nov 1997) |