Clinical Diagnosis · Respiratory System · Medium
Haemoptysis
Meaning: Coughing up blood from the lungs or airways.
In practice: A red flag in lung cancer and tuberculosis; also seen with pulmonary embolism and mitral stenosis.
Word parts
- haemo- means blood
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: Slow, continuous writhing movements, especially of the hands and fingers.
Answer: Athetosis
Which word means: Abnormally rapid breathing rate.
Answer: Tachypnoea
Words like haemoptysis come up in the daily game
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