Definition of the Day

Asbestos has been used for centuries, praised for its fire resistance, durability, and insulating properties. But its widespread use has also led to serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

To help demystify asbestos and its impact, we’ve created the Asbestos Lexicon—a comprehensive glossary of asbestos-related terms.

Each day, we feature a new term, giving you bite-sized insights into asbestos minerals, health risks, industry practices, and legal issues. Whether you’re a researcher, an advocate, or someone affected by asbestos exposure, our lexicon is a valuable resource for understanding the big picture.

Atelectasis:

Term: AtelectasisDefinition: Atelectasis is the collapse or incomplete expansion of a lung or portion of a lung, which can result from obstruction of the airways, compression from outside the lung, or lack of surfactant.Phonetic Pronunciation: (at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis)Origin: The term 'atelectasis' originates from the Greek words 'atelēs', meaning 'incomplete', and 'ektasis', meaning 'expansion'. It was first used in medical literature in the 19th century to describe a condition observed in autopsies and later recognized in living patients through imaging techniques.Significance in Asbestos Context: Atelectasis can be a secondary condition in asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis or lung cancer. It is significant because it can exacerbate respiratory issues in individuals already suffering from asbestos-induced lung damage, complicating their medical condition and prognosis.Example Sentence: The patient's chest X-ray revealed a...

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