HealthJuly 16, 2026
pulmonologist
/ˌpʌlməˈnɒlədʒɪst/
Definition
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the respiratory system, specifically lungs and breathing pathways.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'pulmo' (lung) and the Greek suffix '-logist' (one who studies). It entered English in the 20th century to describe medical specialists focused on pulmonary medicine.
In the news
In the article, the term refers to the specialist managing the husband's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and prescribing his nebulizer treatments. The author highlights the pulmonologist's role in the patient's care, noting the fatal impact of medication delays.
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Read the full article ↗KFF Health News