white lung
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A severe, acute lung injury: "White lung" is a medical term for a serious condition where the lungs become inflamed, stiff, and filled with fluid, severely impairing their ability to absorb oxygen. It is typically caused by inhaling harmful irritants.
Usage
- "White lung" is a clinical term used primarily in medical contexts to describe a specific, life-threatening pulmonary syndrome.
- It is often associated with occupational hazards or accidental exposure to toxic substances.
Examples
- Noun:
- The factory workers were hospitalized with white lung after a chemical leak.
- White lung is a known risk for firefighters exposed to certain toxic fumes.
Advanced Usage
- The term "white lung" derives from the appearance of the lungs on a chest X-ray, where the normally dark (air-filled) lung fields appear diffusely white due to fluid and inflammation.
- It is often used synonymously with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when the cause is linked to chemical inhalation.
Variants and Related Words
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (n): The broader modern medical term for severe lung failure, which includes "white lung" as a specific type.
- Chemical pneumonitis (n): Inflammation of the lung tissue caused by inhaling irritants, which can lead to "white lung."
Synonyms
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (when cause is specified)
- Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Notes on Meaning
- Important Distinction: While "white lung" is a descriptive term for the physical state of the lungs, in modern medical terminology, the condition is more precisely classified under Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The phrase "white lung" specifically highlights the causative link to an inhaled irritant.
Noun
- acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales; inflammation of the lungs which become stiff and fibrous and cannot exchange oxygen; occurs among persons exposed to irritants such as corrosive chemical vapors or ammonia or chlorine etc.