barotrauma

[bar-uh-trou-muh, -traw-]

noun

Pathology.

plural

barotraumata, barotraumas 

1. injury of certain organs, especially the ear, due to a change in the atmospheric pressure.

barotrauma

/ ˈbærəʊˌtrɔːmə /

noun

1. an injury caused by changes in atmospheric pressure, esp to the eardrums or lungs

Word History and Origins

Origin of barotrauma¹

baro- + trauma

Example Sentences

Barotrauma - physical injury caused by changes in pressure during an explosion - is a particular concern because of Russia's use of thermobaric weapons, also known as vacuum bombs.

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According to The New York Post, the lack of barotrauma from ascending from 45 to 35 feet deep to the surface in such a short amount of time would likely cause more serious injuries.

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An investigation by Mauritius's fisheries ministry put the main cause of death down to a phenomenon known as barotrauma.

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A study author, Tom Rodhouse, says bats can be killed by collisions with propellers and by barotrauma, which occurs when bats fly through low pressure zones created by spinning blades of a wind turbine.

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The devices are used to return rockfish to deep water, reducing the number of rockfish deaths due to barotrauma, which occurs when rockfish are brought to the surface quickly.

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