Clinical Diagnosis · Respiratory System · Hard
Pneumomediastinum
Meaning: The presence of air in the central chest compartment between the lungs.
In practice: Severe vomiting led to pneumomediastinum, seen as air tracking around the heart on CT.
Word parts
- pneumo- means lung or air
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: Infrequent menstrual periods, with cycles longer than about thirty-five days.
Answer: Oligomenorrhoea
Which word means: Highly contagious superficial bacterial skin infection, usually staphylococcal or streptococcal.
Answer: Impetigo
Words like pneumomediastinum come up in the daily game
One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.