Definition of Atelectasis
Atelectasis: Failure of full expansion of the lung at birth or a collapse thereafter of the lung. The word comes from the Greek "a-" (without) + "telos" (complete) + "rectasis" (expansion) = without complete expansion.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6614
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/1998
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