emphysema
UK[ˌemfɪˈsiːmə]US[ˌemfɪˈsiːmə]
n
a condition in which the small air sacs in the lungs become stretched and damaged, typically causing breathlessness.
Morpheme Breakdown
em
phys
ema
em
in
phys
ema
Etymology
the term 'emphysema' originates from the greek word 'emphysēma', which itself derives from the verb 'emphysan', meaning 'to blow in' or 'to inflate'. this verb is a compound of 'en-' ('in') and 'physan' ('to blow'). the core root 'phys-' is connected to concepts of blowing, bellows, and breath. in a medical context, adopted into new latin, the term was applied to describe the pathological inflation and distension of tissues, particularly the lungs. thus, the literal ancient greek notion of 'blowing into' evolved logically into the modern medical term for a condition characterized by over-inflation and damage of the lung's air sacs.
Analysis
Structure: em + phys + ema
em: from greek 'en-', meaning 'in'.
phys: from greek 'phys-', a root related to 'blowing' or 'inflating'.
ema: from greek '-ēma', a suffix forming nouns indicating the result of an action or a condition.
Examples
chronic bronchitis often coexists with emphysema in patients diagnosed with copd.
the primary cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, especially cigarette smoke.
his severe emphysema made even simple activities like walking across the room a struggle.