Atelectasis happens when lung sacs (alveoli) can’t inflate properly, which means blood, tissues and organs may not get oxygen It can be caused by pressure outside of your lung, a blockage, low airflow or scarring. The word atelectasis is greek in origin It is a combination of the greek words atelez (ateles) and ektasiz (ektasis) meaning imperfect and expansion It results from the partial or complete, reversible collapse of the small airways leading to an impaired exchange of co2 and o2. The classification of atelectasis according to the pathophysiologic mechanism is reviewed here, as are the mechanisms of each type of atelectasis
Radiologic manifestations of atelectasis are described separately. It happens when tiny air sacs within the lung, called alveoli, lose air Atelectasis is one of the most common breathing complications after surgery. Atelectasis is a partial or complete collapse of the entire lung or a specific area, or lobe, of the lung, leading to impaired exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Atelectasis can be categorized as obstructive or nonobstructive Obstructive, also called resorptive, atelectasis is when something physically blocks the airway and causes reabsorption of the air (carbon dioxide and oxygen) from the alveoli with subsequent collapse of that portion of the lung.
The word parenchyma signifies the functional units, the alveoli, of the lungs Atelectasis describes involvement of relatively smaller units (of alveoli). Accordingly, atelectasis can decrease the level of oxygen in the blood The body compensates for a small amount of atelectasis by closing off (constricting) the blood vessels in the affected area This constriction redirects blood flow to alveoli that are open so that gas exchange can continue.
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