Definition for lung atelectasis

Atelectasis is defined as a state in which the lung, in whole or in part, is collapsed or without air. more

Atelectasis is defined as a state in which the lung, in whole or in part, is collapsed or without air. It is a condition where the alveoli are deflated, as distinct from pulmonary consolidation.

The most common cause is post-surgical atelectasis, characterized by splinting, restricted breathing after abdominal surgery. Smokers and the elderly are at an increased risk. Outside of this context, atelectasis implies some blockage of a bronchiole or bronchus, which can be within the airway (foreign body, mucus plug), from the wall (tumor, usually SCC) or compressing from the outside (tumor, lymph node, tubercle). Another cause is poor surfactant spreading during inspiration, causing an increase in surface tension which tends to collapse smaller alveoli. less