Clinical Diagnosis · Respiratory System · Medium
Bronchiectasis
Meaning: Permanent widening of the airways that leads to mucus build-up, recurrent chest infections and a chronic productive cough.
In practice: Her daily cupful of sputum and recurrent infections pointed to bronchiectasis, confirmed on CT.
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 clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Reduced function of the testes or ovaries, causing low sex hormone levels and fertility problems.
Answer: Hypogonadism
Which word means: Sudden, brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or muscle group.
Answer: Myoclonus
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