Bronchiectasis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A long-term lung condition features abnormal dilation of the bronchi, resulting in mucus build-up and recurrent infections, which lead to respiratory complications and lung damage
2. This medical condition is characterized by permanent widening of the bronchial tubes, causing blockages due to mucus accumulation and an increase in respiratory infections, often affecting lung function
3. A chronic respiratory disease is marked by the abnormal enlargement of bronchial passages, leading to mucus retention and frequent infections, ultimately impairing lung health

Etymology: Bronchiectasis is a modern medical coinage built from Greek parts. Its first half, "bronchi-", comes from the plural of "bronchus," the Latin-form name for an airway branch of the windpipe, which itself traces back to Greek "bronkhos," meaning windpipe. The second half comes from Greek "ektasis," meaning "a stretching out" or "extension," formed from "ek-" (out) and "teinein" (to stretch). Put together, the name describes exactly what happens in the disease: the airways are stretched and widened beyond their normal shape. The term was borrowed into English as "ectasis," a medical word for a general stretching or dilation of a bodily structure, and the compound "bronchiectasis" was built on it to name this specific condition. Because it was assembled from classical roots for a condition clinicians needed to name, it was not used by the ancient Greeks, who had no concept of this disease as a distinct illness.