What does insufflation mean?
Insufflation is the technical term for blowing air, gas, or another substance into a defined space, especially a body cavity. In medicine, it describes the introduction of air into the lungs to assist ventilation or expand them, and it can also refer to delivering a gas or powder into the respiratory tract. The word has a broader, less common meaning involving the inflation of a space or container. Its associations are primarily clinical and scientific, so it sounds more specialized than ordinary expressions such as breathing in or blowing up. The term is particularly useful in discussions of respiratory care, anesthesia, surgery, and experimental procedures where controlled delivery of air or gases is important.
nounThe act of blowing air, gas, or powder into a body cavity, especially the lungs, or the process of introducing a gas into a space to expand or fill it. In medicine, it may refer to a procedure used to ventilate the lungs or deliver a substance into the respiratory tract.
- The act or process of blowing air or gas into a body cavity, especially the lungs.
- The introduction of a gas, vapor, or powder into a confined space.
- The act of inflating or blowing something up.
"The physician used a bag-mask device for manual insufflation of the patient's lungs."
"During the procedure, insufflation of oxygen helped expand the patient's lungs."
"The old bellows were used for the insufflation of air into the chamber."
The plural is used when referring to separate instances or procedures of insufflation.
"Repeated insufflations were needed to maintain adequate ventilation."
From the Latin for “blow into,” insufflation is the medical art of sending a carefully controlled breath where it is needed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does insufflation come from?
Insufflation comes from the Latin insufflare, meaning “to blow into,” formed from in- and sufflare, “to blow.” The English noun was borrowed in the 17th century in medical contexts and later came to denote the general act of blowing into or inflating something. Its relatives include the Latin-derived words inflation, deflation, and sufflation.
Related word forms
How insufflation is actually used
In modern usage, insufflation is most often a technical medical term. It is formal and specialized, and is distinct from ordinary inhalation because it emphasizes the introduction of air or another substance by pressure rather than the general act of breathing.
Easily confused with insufflation
Inhalation generally means breathing in through the respiratory tract, whereas insufflation specifically means blowing air or another substance into a body cavity, often as a medical procedure.