aerosol

aerosol /aer·o·sol/ (ār´o-sol) a colloid system in which solid or liquid particles are suspended in a gas, especially a suspension of a drug or other substance to be dispensed in a fine spray or mist.

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aer·o·sol (âr-sôl)

n.

1. A gaseous suspension of fine solid or liquid particles.

2. A substance, such as a drug containing therapeutically active ingredients, packaged under pressure with a gaseous propellant for release as a spray of fine particles.

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aerosol

[er′əsol′]

Etymology: Gk, aer; L, solutus, in dissolved

1 nebulized particles suspended in a gas or in air.

2 a pressurized gas containing a finely nebulized medication for inhalation therapy.

3 a pressurized gas containing a nebulized chemical agent for sterilizing the air of a room.

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aerosol (er´sôl),

n 1. the suspension of materials in a gas or vapor (e.g., saliva vaporized in air-water spray from a high-speed handpiece).
2. a substance dispensed as a constituent of a gas or vapor suspension.

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aerosol

a colloid system in which solid or liquid particles are suspended in a gas, especially a suspension of a drug or other substance to be dispensed in a cloud or mist.

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aerosol clearance

removal of particles that have been deposited in the respiratory tissues. Clearance may occur by ciliary transport, by phagocytosis, by encapsulation and immobilization in a deposit of fibrous tissue (in which case the particles remain in the body), and by dissolving in tissue fluid and subsequently diffusing into the general circulation where the particles are metabolized.

aerosol deposition

the depositing of aerosol particles onto a nearby surface, especially deposition or retention of the particles within the respiratory system. Closely related to aerosol penetration and affected by the same factors.

aerosol penetration

the maximum distance aerosol particles can be carried into the respiratory tract by inhaled air. Depth of penetration increases as particle size decreases. Factors affecting where aerosol particles will be deposited and how deeply they can penetrate are: gravity, kinetic activity of gas molecules, inertial impaction, physical nature of the particle, and the ventilatory pattern.

aerosol therapy

nebulization; delivery of a therapeutic agent as a fine mist or spray to the mucociliary layer of the respiratory tract.

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aerosol

Epidemiology A particulate suspension of infectious agents which may remain pathogenic for long periods of time; a fine mist or spray containing minute particles from soil, clothes, bedding or floors when moved, cleaned or blown by wind; aerosolized material includes fungal spores–infective agents themselves–bits of infected feces, or particles of dirt or soil that have been contaminated with a pathogen. See Droplet nuclei Occupational medicine A suspension of particles in air. See Acid aerosol, Airborne transmission, Inhalant,  Flammable aerosol, Sclerosol^® (talc powder) intrapleural aerosol Therapeutics A suspension or dispersion of fine particles, ranging 10–6-10–9 in diameter, of a solid or liquid in a gas, which is atomized into a fine mist for inhalation therapy, or for a nebulizer and inhaled.