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  • Fibrotic tissue isolated from the lung of a mouse.
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Pulmonary Fibrosis
Lecturio
Related terms:
atelectasis
cystic fibrosis
fibrosis
hemoptysis
pulmonary hypertension
lung abscess
lung neoplasm
pneumonia
pulmonary edema
Disease or Syndrome
pulmonary fibrosis
pul·mo·nar·y fi·bro·sis [ puhl-muh-ner-ee, poo l- fahy-broh-sis ]
Subclass of:
Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Fibrosis
Also called:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; IPF
Definitions related to pulmonary fibrosis:
  • A interstitial lung disease characterized by the replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue.
    NICHD Pediatric Terminology
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A process in which normal lung tissues are progressively replaced by FIBROBLASTS and COLLAGEN causing an irreversible loss of the ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream via PULMONARY ALVEOLI. Patients show progressive DYSPNEA finally resulting in death.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Chronic progressive interstitial lung disorder characterized by the replacement of the lung tissue by connective tissue, leading to progressive dyspnea, respiratory failure, or right heart failure. Causes include chronic inflammatory processes, exposure to environmental irritants, radiation therapy, autoimmune disorders, certain drugs, or it may be idiopathic (no identifiable cause).
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time. This tissue gets thick and stiff. That makes it hard for you to catch your breath, and your blood may not get enough oxygen. Causes of pulmonary fibrosis include environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. In most cases, the cause cannot be found. This is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Symptoms include: Shortness of breath; A dry, hacking cough that doesn't get better; Fatigue; Weight loss for no known reason; Aching muscles and joints; Clubbing, which is the widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes. Your doctor may use your medical history, imaging tests, a biopsy, and lung function tests to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis. There is no cure. Treatments can help with symptoms and improve your quality of life. They include medicines, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, or a lung transplant. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
    MedlinePlus
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Replacement of normal lung tissues by fibroblasts and collagen.
    Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)
    The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
  • A disorder characterized by the replacement of the lung tissue by connective tissue, leading to progressive dyspnea, respiratory failure or right heart failure.
    Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
    U.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
  • Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.
    Mayo Clinic
    Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2025
  • Pulmonary fibrosis, end result of a variety of inflammatory diseases of the lungs in which dense fibrous connective tissue replaces lung tissue. The fibrous tissue stiffens the lungs, reduces space available for inhaled air, and interferes with gas exchange. Pulmonary fibrosis causes a dry cough...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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