emphysema

[ em-fuh-see-muh, -zee- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs accompanied by destruction of the tissue lining the walls of the air spaces.
2. any abnormal distention of an organ, or part of the body, with air or other gas.

emphysema

/ -ˈsiː-; ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs; ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə /

noun

1. Also calledpulmonary emphysema a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing
2. the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part

emphysema

/ ĕm′fĭ-sē′mə /

1. A chronic lung disease characterized by progressive, irreversible expansion of the alveoli with eventual destruction of alveolar tissue, causing obstruction to airflow. Patients with emphysema often have labored breathing, wheezing, chronic fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection, and may require oxygen therapy. Long-term smoking is a common cause of emphysema.

emphysema

1. A chronic disease in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become stretched and enlarged, so that they are less able to supply oxygen to the blood . Emphysema causes shortness of breath and painful coughing and can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Emphysema occurs most frequently in older men who have been heavy smokers.

Derived Forms

• emphysematous, adjective

Other Words From

• em·phy·sem·a·tous [em-f, uh, -, sem, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, see, -m, uh, -, -, zem, -, uh, -, -, zee, -m, uh, -], adjective
• emphy·semic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin, from Greek emphȳ́sēma “inflation,” from em- em- ² + phȳsē- (variant stem of phȳsân “to blow”) + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek emphusēma, a swelling up, from emphusan to inflate, from phusan to blow

Example Sentences

While pot smoke does contain cancer-causing chemicals, recent research has found that cannabis use is not associated with a higher risk of lung cancer or emphysema.

From FiveThirtyEight

And in her final years, when she was blinded by macular degeneration and suffocating with emphysema, vanity left her isolated.

From The Daily Beast

Suffering from severe emphysema, she clung to life through a ventilator, as Singer coordinated her care.

From The Daily Beast

There may be some emphysema, but not enough to account for the respiratory difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

Surgical emphysema signifies the effusion of air into the general connective tissues of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Whooping-cough is well known as the exciting cause of emphysema in many persons.

From Project Gutenberg

Of pulmonary emphysema there are two forms, true vesicular and interstitial (or interlobular).

From Project Gutenberg

Madeira and the Canaries are useful when emphysema is present or where there is much irritability of constitution.

From Project Gutenberg