emphysema
[ em-fuh-see-muh, -zee- ]
/ ˌɛm fəˈsi mə, -ˈzi- /
noun Pathology.
a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs accompanied by destruction of the tissue lining the walls of the air spaces.
any abnormal distention of an organ, or part of the body, with air or other gas.
Origin of emphysema
1655–65; < New Latin < Greek
emphȳ́sēma inflation, equivalent to
em-
em-2 +
phȳsē- (variant stem of
phȳsân to blow) +
-ma noun suffix denoting result of action
OTHER WORDS FROM emphysema
em·phy·sem·a·tous [em-fuh-sem-uh-tuh s, -see-muh-, -zem-uh-, -zee-muh-] /ˌɛm fəˈsɛm ə təs, -ˈsi mə-, -ˈzɛm ə-, -ˈzi mə-/, adjective em·phy·se·mic, adjectiveWords nearby emphysema
empery,
emphasis,
emphasize,
emphatic,
emphatically,
emphysema,
empire,
empire builder,
empire building,
empire day,
empire state
Example sentences from the Web for emphysematous
The upper lobe partially excavated and ragged; the inferior lobe infiltrated and emphysematous.
An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis |Archibald MakellarDecomposition sets in early, and the resulting gases cause a puffy, emphysematous condition of the connective tissue.
The only subsequent inconvenience to the bird arose from emphysematous distension of the cellular tissue of the head and neck.
Parasites |T. Spencer Cobbold
British Dictionary definitions for emphysematous
emphysema
/ (ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə) /
noun pathol
Also called: pulmonary emphysema
a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing
the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part
Derived forms of emphysema
emphysematous (ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs, -ˈsiː-), adjectiveWord Origin for emphysema
C17: from New Latin, from Greek
emphusēma, a swelling up, from
emphusan to inflate, from
phusan to blow
Medical definitions for emphysematous
emphysema
[ ĕm′fĭ-sē′mə, -zē′- ]
n.
A pathological condition of the lungs marked by an abnormal increase in the size of the air spaces, resulting in labored breathing and an increased susceptibility to infection. It can be caused by irreversible expansion of the alveoli or by the destruction of alveolar walls.
pulmonary emphysema
An abnormal distention of body tissues caused by retention of air.
Other words from emphysema
em′phy•sem′a•tous (-sĕm′ə-təs, -sē′mə-, -zĕm′ə-, -zē′mə-) adj. em′phy•se′mic adj. n.Scientific definitions for emphysematous
emphysema
[ ĕm′fĭ-sē′mə ]
A chronic lung disease characterized by progressive, irreversible expansion of the alveoli with eventual destruction of alveolar tissue, causing obstruction to airflow. Patients with emphysema often have labored breathing, wheezing, chronic fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection, and may require oxygen therapy. Long-term smoking is a common cause of emphysema.
Cultural definitions for emphysematous
emphysema
[ (em-fuh-see-muh, em-fuh-zee-muh) ]
A chronic disease in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become stretched and enlarged, so that they are less able to supply oxygen to the blood. Emphysema causes shortness of breath and painful coughing and can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Emphysema occurs most frequently in older men who have been heavy smokers.