BARREL CHEST Meaning and
Definition
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Barrel chest is a term used in medical terminology to describe a physical condition characterized by a rounded and protruding chest with an increased anteroposterior diameter. It refers to individuals with a chest shape resembling the cylindrical shape of a barrel. This condition can be observed when the ribcage expands laterally and anteriorly, causing the chest to have a more rounded appearance.
Barrel chest is often associated with certain medical conditions that affect the respiratory system and lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and emphysema. These conditions can lead to difficulty in breathing and a decreased ability to exhale air, resulting in overinflation of the lungs. The increased volume of air in the lungs pushes the diaphragm downwards and expands the chest cavity, leading to the characteristic barrel chest shape.
Clinically, barrel chest can be assessed by evaluating the chest-wall diameter and comparing it to the lateral diameter. A larger than usual anteroposterior chest diameter in relation to the lateral diameter is indicative of barrel chest.
While barrel chest is commonly associated with respiratory conditions, it can also be seen in individuals with osteoporosis or other skeletal abnormalities affecting the thorax.
In summary, barrel chest refers to a rounded and protruding chest with an increased anteroposterior diameter. It is often associated with respiratory conditions that cause overinflation of the lungs and pushing of the diaphragm downwards, resulting in the distinctive barrel-like shape of the chest.
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A c. Permanently the shape of one during full inspiration, seen in cases of emphysema.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BARREL CHEST
- varrel chest
- narrel chest
- harrel chest
- garrel chest
- bzrrel chest
- bsrrel chest
- bwrrel chest
- bqrrel chest
- baerel chest
- badrel chest
- bafrel chest
- batrel chest
- ba5rel chest
- ba4rel chest
- bareel chest
- bardel chest
- barfel chest
- bartel chest
- bar5el chest
- bar4el chest
Etymology of BARREL CHEST
The word "barrel chest" is composed of two separate words: "barrel" and "chest".
The term "barrel" originated from the Old French word "baril", which was derived from the Late Latin word "barrīca", meaning "barrel". It originally referred to a large vessel or container with a cylindrical shape. Over time, "barrel" also came to be used symbolically to describe a body shape characterized by a rounded, cylindrical torso, resembling the shape of a barrel.
The word "chest" originated from the Old English word "cist", which was derived from the Latin word "cista", meaning "box" or "chest". This term referred to the upper front part of the human body, specifically the area between the neck and the abdomen.
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