emphysema

(em-fis-e’mah) [Gr. ἐμφύσημα]. 1. A swelling or inflation due to the presence of air in the interstices of the connective ti ues. 2. The presence of air in the alveolar ti ue of the lungs. It may be interstitial (interlobular) as a result of the escape of air from the lungs into the interstitial ti ue between the alveoli: or testicular (alveolar) when due to distention of the alveoli with air. alveolar 6. Sce cmphysema (2d def.), atrophic e., a senile emphysema with wasting of the lung substance. compensating e., compensatory ¢., dilatation of one part of ‘the lung to compensate for the consolidation of another. part. cutaneous e., the presence of gas or air in the connective Li ues underlying the skin. ectatic @., emphysema due to stretching of the pulmonary alveoli. false e., gas in the ti ues due to septic poison or gangrene. gangrenous 6., a malignant emphysema of microbic origin. hypertrophic e., vesicular emphysema in which from overstretching the contractile energy of the lungs is destroyed, so that they become permanently enlarged, giving to the thorax a characteristic barrel shape. interlobular e. Sce emphysema (2d def.). interstitial e., the presence of air or a gas in the interstices of ‘the connective ti uc. mediastinal e., the presence of air in the mediastinal ti ue. pulmonary e., vesicular e., unnatural distention and rupture of the air-vesicles of the lungs: it is usually due to exce ive effort in expiration. Called also alvcolur ectusia. senile e.. emphysema due to. senile dilatation of the alveoli. small-lunged e., atrophic emphysema. subcutaneous e., distention of spaces in the subcutaneous ti ues of the body with air or with any other gas. substantial e. Same as pulmonary e. surgical e., aérod erm ectasia; subcutancous emphysema following | traumatism. vesicular e. Sce emphysema (2d def.). Of the nature of or affected with emphysema.