Em·phy·se·ma n. Med. A swelling produced by gas or air diffused in the cellular tissue.
Emphysema of the lungs, Pulmonary emphysema Med., a common disease of the lungs in which the air cells are distended and their partition walls ruptured by an abnormal pressure of the air contained in them.
◄ ►
pulmonary emphysema
n : an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased
respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic
bronchitis or old age [syn: emphysema]