emphysema

American  

[em-fuh-see-muh, -zee-] / ˌɛm fəˈsi mə, -ˈzi- /

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.

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emphysema British  

/ ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə, ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs, -ˈsiː- /

noun

1. Also called: pulmonary 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

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emphysema Scientific  

/ 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.

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emphysema Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• emphysematous adjective
• emphysemic adjective

Etymology

Origin of emphysema

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

Example Sentences

The bassist, who also played with Primal Scream, died in his sleep aged 63 of "respiratory issues" linked to the long-standing lung condition emphysema, coroners confirmed to the Manchester Evening News.

From BBC

Mounfield died last month - aged 63 - peacefully in his sleep of "respiratory issues" linked to the long-standing lung condition, emphysema, coroners confirmed to the Manchester Evening News.

From BBC

The answer is “yes” — the way a doctor answers, “Is smoking bad because of the cancer, the emphysema or the yellow teeth?”

From MarketWatch

“I am in excellent shape except for emphysema,” he wrote in his 2024 post.

From Salon

Long-term exposure can result in lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis and chronic emphysema.

From Los Angeles Times