[at-l-ek-tuh-sis] 
| 1. | incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth, as from lack of breathing force. |
| 2. | collapse of the lungs, as from bronchial obstruction. |
[at-l-ek-tat-ik] , adjective | at·e·lec·ta·sis (āt'l-ěk'tə-sĭs) n. pl. at·e·lec·ta·ses (-sēz')
[New Latin : Greek atelēs, incomplete (a-, not; see a-1 + telos, end; see telo-) + Greek ektasis, stretching out (from ekteinein, to stretch out : ek-, out; see ecto- + teinein, to stretch; see epitasis).] |
atelectasis at·e·lec·ta·sis (āt'l-ěk'tə-sĭs)
n.
The absence of gas from all or a part of the lungs, due to failure of expansion or resorption of gas from the alveoli.
A congenital condition characterized by the incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth.
lˈɛk