atelectasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “atelectasis” mean?
The collapse or incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The collapse or incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung.
A medical condition where the alveoli (air sacs) in the lung become deflated or fail to expand, leading to reduced gas exchange. It can be congenital or acquired, and may affect a small segment or an entire lung.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Purely clinical, denoting a specific pulmonary condition.
Frequency
Exclusively used in medical contexts (pulmonology, radiology, critical care, surgery) in both regions. Unknown to the general public.
Grammar
How to Use “atelectasis” in a Sentence
The patient developed atelectasis.Atelectasis was noted on the chest X-ray.The atelectasis resolved with physiotherapy.Surgery can lead to atelectasis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “atelectasis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- atelectatic lung
- atelectatic changes
American English
- atelectatic lung
- atelectatic changes
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical and healthcare academic literature, textbooks, and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, radiology reports, and surgical notes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “atelectasis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “atelectasis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “atelectasis”
- Misspelling: 'atelecatasis', 'atelecktasis'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (/ˈætɪlɛktəsɪs/) is common but incorrect; primary stress is on the third syllable.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The lung atelectasised').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Atelectasis is the collapse of lung *tissue* (alveoli). Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space *outside* the lung, which can *cause* atelectasis by compressing the lung.
While a small area of atelectasis is often not serious, massive atelectasis involving an entire lung can severely impair oxygenation and be life-threatening, especially in critically ill patients.
The most common standard pronunciation places the primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌæt̬əˈlɛktəsɪs/ (uh-tuh-LEK-tuh-sis). The first syllable is a schwa (/ə/), not a strong /æ/.
The collapse or incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung.
Atelectasis is usually technical/medical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AT ELEVATION, the LUNG COLLAPSES' -> Atelectasis. Or break it down: 'a-' (without) + 'telos' (end/completion) + 'ektasis' (extension) = 'incomplete extension' of the lung.
Conceptual Metaphor
The lung as a deflated balloon or a collapsed building/structure.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of resorption atelectasis?