cor pulmonale: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/TechnicalMedical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “cor pulmonale” mean?
A medical condition characterized by enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or pulmonary blood vessels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or pulmonary blood vessels.
Right-sided heart failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension, most commonly caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; it is a standard international medical term.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical with no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both dialects, confined to medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cor pulmonale” in a Sentence
Patient presents with cor pulmonale.Cor pulmonale secondary to COPD.The development of cor pulmonale.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cor pulmonale” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient's long-standing COPD may eventually cor pulmonale.
- Smoking can lead to conditions that cor pulmonale over time.
American English
- Chronic hypoxia can cor pulmonale if left untreated.
- The disease process cor pulmonaled after years of damage.
adverb
British English
- The heart failed cor pulmonaly due to pulmonary hypertension.
- The ventricle was functioning cor pulmonally compromised.
American English
- The condition progressed cor pulmonally over a decade.
- The patient was treated cor pulmonally with specific vasodilators.
adjective
British English
- The cor pulmonale patient was started on diuretics.
- We observed cor pulmonale changes on the echocardiogram.
American English
- The physician noted cor pulmonale symptoms during the exam.
- Management of cor pulmonale complications is challenging.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and physiological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Exclusively used in clinical medicine, cardiology, and pulmonology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cor pulmonale”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cor pulmonale”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cor pulmonale”
- Mispronouncing 'cor' as 'core' /kɔːr/ instead of the Latin /kɔː/.
- Using it as a general term for any heart disease.
- Incorrect plural: 'cors pulmonale' (should be 'cases of cor pulmonale').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is always a secondary condition caused by an underlying pulmonary disorder that increases pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
There is no direct cure. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying lung disease, reducing pulmonary hypertension, and supporting heart function.
In British English, it is pronounced roughly as 'core pull-moh-NAH-lee'. In American English, it is often 'core pull-moh-NAL-ee' or 'core pull-moh-NAL-ay'.
It is not common in the general population but is a well-recognized and serious complication in patients with advanced chronic lung diseases like COPD.
A medical condition characterized by enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or pulmonary blood vessels.
Cor pulmonale is usually medical/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COR PULMONALE: CORe of the heart problem is in the PULMONary system.
Conceptual Metaphor
The heart as a pump being overworked by a blocked lung system.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of cor pulmonale?