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Glite Dictionary
bronchoalveolar

bronchoalveolar

1 8.3
Relating to the small air tubes and air sacs in the lungs
  • adjective
  • /ˌbrɒŋkoʊˈælviˌoʊlər/
  • Specialized
: broncoalveolar
  • PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae was done in the bronchoalveolar lavage specimens.

Examples

  • Only one isolate was identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage sample from a ferret for which postmortem examination confirmed lesions consistent with a mycoplasma infection.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The doctor recommended a bronchoalveolar lavage to assess the patient's lung condition.

  • Samples obtained from the bronchoalveolar region showed signs of infection.

  • Researchers studied the bronchoalveolar fluid to understand respiratory diseases better.

Synonyms

bronchopulmonary
vsbronchoalveolar
  • Specialized
1 6.5

Relating to the lungs and the tubes that carry air inside them

focuses specifically on bronchi and alveoli rather than the lungs generally

Surface Forms

bronchoalveolar positive

Morphology

bronchoalveolar = bronchus + alveolus (semi-transparent) = broncho + alveol

The parts clearly refer to bronchi and alveoli, but they are technical medical terms and the combining form 'broncho-' may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

The word bronchoalveolar joins two parts: broncho- from a Greek word for 'windpipe', as in bronchitis, and alveol- from Latin alveolus meaning 'small hollow' or 'pocket'. So bronchoalveolar means it is about both the air tubes and the tiny air sacs in the lungs.