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 the bends [th, uh, , bendz], 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