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Glite Dictionary
subpleural

subpleural

1 9.9
Just under the thin membrane that covers the lungs
  • adjective
  • /sʌbˈplʊrəl/
  • Specialized
: subpleural
  • The ultrasound revealed a subpleural mass that required further investigation.

Examples

  • Patients with reticular abnormality in a subpleural, basal predominance, but without honeycombing, are considered to have a possible usual interstitial pneumonia pattern.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Subpleural fibrotic areas showed positivity in macrophages and fibroblasts (figure).

    Academic text (2000)

  • D = A fibroblast (black arrow) and macrophages (white arrows) in fibrotic subpleural bands show strong mycobacterial DNA labeling.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Doctors found subpleural fluid accumulation during the patient's examination.

  • In the scan, subpleural lesions were noted, indicating a potential respiratory issue.

Surface Forms

subpleural positive

Morphology

subpleural = pleural (opaque) = sub + pleura + al

Formally the word is formed by prefixing 'sub-' to 'pleural' (clear structure), but 'pleural' is a technical medical adjective that may be unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

The word subpleural comes from the prefix sub- meaning 'under', as in subway, and pleura, an old word for the 'side' that now names the thin covering of the lungs. So subpleural means 'just under the lung covering'.