Atelectatic

/ˌætəlɛkˈtætɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or affected by atelectasis, the collapse or incomplete expansion of lung tissue.

Etymology

Formed from 'atelectasis' + the adjectival suffix '-ic,' which comes from Greek and Latin and is used to create adjectives from medical conditions and scientific terms.

Kelly Says

When radiologists examine X-rays of the lungs, they look for atelectatic regions that appear darker than normal tissue—these collapsed areas are like deflated balloons inside the chest that should be puffed up.

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