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More about this list The twenty-fourth entry is l’amianto , and it is the one word on this page where English and Italian picked different ancient names for the same substance. Both names are Greek and both are built the same way, on the privative alpha that also opens « atypical » and « anaemia ». Our « asbestos » goes back to asbestos , formed on sbennynai , to quench: the stone that fire cannot put out. Theirs goes back to amiantos , formed on miainein , to stain: the stone that fire cannot dirty. The two adjectives describe the same trick from opposite ends, because in antiquity the fibre was shown off by being thrown into a flame and pulled out clean. Italian does own the other word as well, l’asbesto , but it lives in mineralogy and in translations; what stands on a referral, in a statute and on a demolition notice is l’amianto , and l’esposizione all’amianto is what the question at entry twenty-three is asking about. One more thing the spelling hides: l’amianto is masculine, and the elided article says nothing either way.
The words
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Noun (f) (19)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
la spirometria spirometry Noun (f) C2 La spirometria si ripete dopo il farmaco. Spirometry is repeated once the medicine has been given.
la capacità vitale the vital capacity Noun (f) C2 La capacità vitale cala lentamente con gli anni. The vital capacity falls slowly over the years.
la risposta al broncodilatatore the response to the bronchodilator Noun (f) C2 La risposta al broncodilatatore distingue le due malattie. The response to the bronchodilator tells the two diseases apart.
l’ostruzione delle vie aeree the airway obstruction Noun (f) C2 L’ostruzione delle vie aeree si sente nell’espirazione. The airway obstruction can be heard on breathing out.
la tosse cronica the chronic cough Noun (f) C2 La tosse cronica dura ormai da mesi. The chronic cough has been going on for months now.
la dispnea da sforzo the breathlessness on exertion Noun (f) C2 La dispnea da sforzo compare già sulle scale. The breathlessness on exertion shows up on the stairs already.
l’emogasanalisi the arterial blood gas analysis Noun (f) C2 L’emogasanalisi mostra quanto ossigeno arriva davvero. The arterial blood gas analysis shows how much oxygen really arrives.
l’insufficienza respiratoria cronica the chronic respiratory failure Noun (f) C2 L’insufficienza respiratoria cronica richiede controlli regolari. Chronic respiratory failure calls for regular check-ups.
l’ossigenoterapia a lungo termine the long-term oxygen therapy Noun (f) C2 L’ossigenoterapia a lungo termine si usa molte ore al giorno. Long-term oxygen therapy is used for many hours a day.
la ventilazione non invasiva the non-invasive ventilation Noun (f) C2 La ventilazione non invasiva funziona con una maschera. Non-invasive ventilation works through a mask.
la tecnica di inalazione the inhaler technique Noun (f) C2 La tecnica di inalazione conta quanto il farmaco. The inhaler technique counts for as much as the medicine does.
la riacutizzazione della bronchite the flare-up of the bronchitis Noun (f) C2 La riacutizzazione della bronchite arriva spesso d’inverno. A flare-up of the bronchitis often comes in winter.
la cessazione del fumo smoking cessation Noun (f) C2 La cessazione del fumo viene discussa a ogni visita. Smoking cessation is discussed at every appointment.
la fibrosi polmonare the pulmonary fibrosis Noun (f) C2 La fibrosi polmonare irrigidisce il tessuto. Pulmonary fibrosis stiffens the tissue.
l’esposizione professionale the occupational exposure Noun (f) C2 L’esposizione professionale viene sempre chiesta. The occupational exposure is always asked about.
la broncoscopia the bronchoscopy Noun (f) C2 La broncoscopia permette di prelevare un campione. The bronchoscopy makes it possible to take a sample.
la tubercolosi tuberculosis Noun (f) C2 La tubercolosi si trasmette per via aerea. Tuberculosis is passed on through the air.
la riabilitazione respiratoria the pulmonary rehabilitation Noun (f) C2 La riabilitazione respiratoria unisce movimento e istruzione. Pulmonary rehabilitation brings movement and teaching together.
la vaccinazione antinfluenzale the flu vaccination Noun (f) C2 La vaccinazione antinfluenzale si offre ogni autunno. The flu vaccination is offered every autumn.
Noun (m) (15)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
il volume espiratorio forzato the forced expiratory volume in one second Noun (m) C2 Il volume espiratorio forzato si misura nel primo secondo. The forced expiratory volume in one second is measured during that first second.
il picco di flusso espiratorio the peak expiratory flow Noun (m) C2 Il picco di flusso espiratorio si annota ogni mattina. The peak expiratory flow is written down every morning.
l’espettorato the sputum Noun (m) C2 L’espettorato viene raccolto al mattino. The sputum is collected first thing in the morning.
il sibilo the wheeze Noun (m) C2 Il sibilo si sente meglio con il fonendoscopio. The wheeze is easier to hear through the stethoscope.
i rantoli the crackles Noun (m) C2 I rantoli si sentono alle basi dei polmoni. The crackles are heard at the bases of the lungs.
il distanziatore the spacer Noun (m) C2 Il distanziatore aiuta chi non riesce a coordinare il respiro. The spacer helps anybody who cannot time the breath.
il kit di emergenza the emergency pack Noun (m) C2 Il kit di emergenza resta pronto in casa. The emergency pack is kept ready at home.
i pacchetti anno the pack-years Noun (m) C2 I pacchetti anno riassumono quanto si è fumato in tutta la vita. The pack-years sum up how much somebody has smoked in a whole lifetime.
l’amianto asbestos Noun (m) C2 L’amianto agisce a distanza di decenni. Asbestos still acts decades later.
il versamento pleurico the pleural effusion Noun (m) C2 Il versamento pleurico si vede bene con gli ultrasuoni. The pleural effusion shows up clearly on ultrasound.
lo pneumotorace the pneumothorax Noun (m) C2 Lo pneumotorace toglie il fiato all’improvviso. A pneumothorax takes the breath away all at once.
il nodulo polmonare the lung nodule Noun (m) C2 Il nodulo polmonare viene seguito nel tempo. The lung nodule is followed over time.
il disturbo respiratorio del sonno the sleep-disordered breathing Noun (m) C2 Il disturbo respiratorio del sonno lo nota spesso chi dorme accanto. Sleep-disordered breathing is often noticed by the person sleeping beside them.
l’esercizio respiratorio the breathing exercise Noun (m) C2 L’esercizio respiratorio si fa seduti e con calma. The breathing exercise is done sitting down and without hurry.
il monitoraggio a domicilio the home monitoring Noun (m) C2 Il monitoraggio a domicilio segnala presto il peggioramento. Home monitoring signals a deterioration early.
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