tension pneumo
3
8.6
- noun
- /ˈtɛnʃən ˈnjuːmoʊ/
- Specialized
:
neumotórax a tensión
- He's got a tension pneumo on the left.
Examples
-
During the emergency surgery, the doctor recognized the signs of tension pneumo and acted quickly.
-
We got a tension pneumo.
-
The patient was diagnosed with a tension pneumo after the chest X-ray showed trapped air.
-
In cases of tension pneumo, immediate intervention is critical to prevent lung collapse.
Synonyms
12
9.6
Air in the space between a lung and chest wall that makes the lung collapse
How Severe
- Specialized
3
8.6
- Specialized
12
9.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
tension + pneumo
The sense is compositionally related: 'tension' denotes pressure/tightness and 'pneumo' is a medical combining form referring to air or the lung, so the idea of pressurised air in the chest is derivable if a learner recognises 'pneumo'. However, 'pneumo' is not a common standalone word and the expression is specialised medical jargon, so an average B1 learner who only knows everyday meanings would likely not predict the full clinical implication without prior exposure.
Etymology
Tension pneumo links tension, meaning strong pressure, and pneumo, meaning 'air' in the chest. Imagine trapped air like a growing balloon that pushes on a lung and the heart, so a tension pneumo means 'air trapped under pressure in the chest' and is an emergency.