pneumoconiosis

Pronunciation: nū′mō-kō′nē-ō′sis, nū′mō-kō′nē-ō′sis, -sēz

Definition: Inflammation commonly leading to fibrosis of the lungs caused by the inhalation of dust incident to various occupations; characterized by pain in the chest, cough with little or no expectoration, dyspnea, reduced thoracic excursion, sometimes cyanosis, and fatigue after slight exertion; often leads to chronic restrictive lung disease as measured by pulmonary testing; degree of disability depends on the types of particles inhaled, as well as the level of exposure to them.

Synonym(s): anthracotic tuberculosis, pneumonoconiosis, pneumonokoniosis

[G. pneumōn, lung, + konis, dust, + -osis, condition]

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