intrathoracic airway obstruction

in·tra·tho·ra·cic air·way ob·struc·tion

(in'tră-thōr-as'ik ār'wā ŏb-strŭk'shŭn)

Form of airway obstruction in which the site of airway narrowing is below the thoracic inlet; can be variable (reduction in expiratory but not inspiratory flows) or fixed (reduction in both inspiratory and expiratory flows).