Collapsed lung tissue is called which term?

• A. Pleura
• B. Pneumonia
• C. Atelectasis
• D. Pulmonary edema

Answer: (C)

Collapsed lung tissue is atelectasis. Atelectasis means part or all of a lung region has deflated or not expanded, so the air sacs (alveoli) lose air and can’t participate effectively in gas exchange. This can happen when airways are blocked, when the lung is compressed, or after surgery with shallow breathing. The other terms describe different problems: pleura refers to the membranes around the lungs, pneumonia is infection that fills air spaces with fluid and inflammatory material, and pulmonary edema is fluid buildup in the lungs usually from heart problems.