Definition

A medical condition where part or all of a lung collapses or does not fully expand, often occurring at birth or due to other health issues.

Example

The doctor explained that atelectasis can lead to breathing difficulties if not treated promptly.

Conversation

Have you heard about atelectasis?

Yeah, isn't that when part of the lung collapses?

Exactly! It can be really serious if not treated.

I read that it often happens in newborns, right?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Atelectasis → It is formed from "a-" (meaning without) and "telektasis" (from Greek "telektos", meaning completed or finished, and "kinein", meaning to move). The term describes a condition where there is a lack of complete expansion of the lung, hence being without full expansion.

Memory Tip

Think of 'without' ('a-') and 'complete expansion' ('telektasis') to remember that atelectasis refers to a condition where the lung is not fully expanded.

Visually Confused Words