Imaging & Radiology · Radiology · Hard
Atelectasis
Meaning: Partial or complete collapse of a lung or part of a lung.
In practice: Post-operative atelectasis is a common cause of fever after surgery.
Word parts
- -ectasis means widening or dilation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related imaging & radiology words.
Which word means: The assessment of normal positional relationships between bones on a radiograph.
Answer: Alignment
Which word means: Imaging of blood vessels using contrast dye and X-rays or MRI.
Answer: Angiography
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