aeroembolism

[air-oh-em-buh-liz-uhm]

noun

Pathology.

1. an obstruction of the circulatory system caused by air, as may arise during surgery.

2. Also called caisson disease, decompression sickness. Also called the bends. an acute condition caused by a rapid substantial decrease in atmospheric pressure, as in high-altitude flying and coming up from deep-sea diving, characterized by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood, severe pain in the lungs and joints, and neurological impairment.

aeroembolism

/ ˌɛərəʊˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a former name for air embolism

Word History and Origins

Origin of aeroembolism¹

First recorded in 1935–40; aero- + embolism