secondary atelectasis

secondary atelectasis

n.

Pulmonary collapse, particularly of a newborn, due to hyaline membrane disease or elastic recoil of the lungs while the infant is actually dying from other causes.

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atelectasis

a collapsed or airless state of the lung, which may be acute or chronic, and may involve all or part of the lung. See also microatelectasis.

The primary cause of atelectasis is obstruction of the bronchus serving the affected area. In fetal atelectasis the lungs fail to expand normally at birth.

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congenital atelectasis

that present at (primary atelectasis) or immediately after (secondary atelectasis) birth.

lobar atelectasis

that affecting only a lobe of the lung.

lobular atelectasis

that affecting only a lobule of the lung.

primary atelectasis

congenital atelectasis in which the alveoli have never been expanded with air.

secondary atelectasis

congenital atelectasis in which resorption of the contained air has led to collapse of the alveoli.