alveolar ectasia

Meaning

Abnormal dilation or stretching of the pulmonary alveoli, often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema.

Examples

• Chronic smoking can eventually lead to alveolar ectasia, significantly reducing the lungs' surface area for gas exchange.
• The pathologist noted signs of alveolar ectasia in the lung tissue samples taken during the biopsy.