A collapsed lung is medically termed?

A collapsed lung is medically termed?

• A. COPD
• B. Stomatitis
• C. Atelectasis
• D. Croup

Answer: (C)

Atelectasis is the medical term for a lung that has collapsed or is not inflated. It happens when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) lose air or cannot fill with air, which can occur from airway blockage, mucus buildup, or external compression from fluid or a mass. Because the alveoli aren’t expanding, that portion of the lung doesn’t participate in gas exchange. This term is used specifically for the collapse of lung tissue, unlike COPD, which is a chronic lung disease with airflow limitation; stomatitis, which is inflammation of the mouth; or croup, a viral infection causing upper airway swelling. A collapsed lung seen in practice is atelectasis, though a pneumothorax (air in the pleural space) can cause lung collapse as well and may need separate consideration.

Atelectasis is the medical term for a lung that has collapsed or is not inflated. It happens when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) lose air or cannot fill with air, which can occur from airway blockage, mucus buildup, or external compression from fluid or a mass. Because the alveoli aren’t expanding, that portion of the lung doesn’t participate in gas exchange.

This term is used specifically for the collapse of lung tissue, unlike COPD, which is a chronic lung disease with airflow limitation; stomatitis, which is inflammation of the mouth; or croup, a viral infection causing upper airway swelling. A collapsed lung seen in practice is atelectasis, though a pneumothorax (air in the pleural space) can cause lung collapse as well and may need separate consideration.