#lung collapse

• Atelectasis — A pathological respiratory condition consisting of the total or partial collapse of pulmonary alveoli, leading to the loss of air content from the affected lung parenchyma and the inability to perform gas exchange. It can be congenital, occurring in newborns due to failure of lung expansion at birth, or acquired in adults due to airway obstruction by mucous plugs, tumors, foreign bodies, or extrinsic compression exerted by pleural fluid or air.