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Bronchopneumonia

(Science: chest medicine) a name given to an inflammation of the lungs which usually begins in the terminal bronchioles.

These become clogged with a mucopurulent exudate forming consolidated patches in adjacent lobules. The disease is frequently secondary in character, following infections of the upper respiratory tract, specific infectious fevers and debilitating diseases. In infants and debilitated persons of any age it may occur as a primary affection.

Synonym: bronchial pneumonia, bronchoalveolitis, bronchopneumonitis, lobular pneumonia.