consolidation
n. C / Un. the process of making something stronger or more solid. In medicine, it often describes when your lung tissue fills with fluid or solid material instead of air.
n. the process of becoming solid or firm; specifically, the solidification of lung tissue due to the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli. Often used in clinical contexts to describe findings on a chest X-ray.
The doctor noticed signs of consolidation in the patient's left lung.
After the physical exam, the physician ordered imaging to confirm if the consolidation was caused by pneumonia.
Clinical signs of pulmonary consolidation include increased vocal fremitus and dullness to percussion, indicating that the air-filled spaces have been replaced by denser inflammatory material.
From Latin cōnsolidātiō, cōnsolidātiōnem, from cōnsolidō.
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific area of solidified tissue.