What does pulmonology mean?
Pulmonology is the branch of medicine that studies and treats the lungs, airways, and the wider respiratory system. Physicians working in this field are called pulmonologists, and they manage conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. The term is especially associated with specialist medicine, although the equivalent expression “respiratory medicine” is more common in British English. Pulmonology overlaps with other disciplines, including thoracic surgery, general internal medicine, and the study of sleep-related breathing disorders. It also plays an important role in public health through research into smoking-related disease, occupational lung exposure, and the effects of air pollution. The word is useful because it precisely identifies the medical field devoted to respiratory health rather than the whole of respiratory care.
nounThe branch of medicine concerned with the lungs, airways, and respiratory system, including the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.
- The medical specialty concerned with the lungs, airways, and respiratory system.
"She is a leading specialist in pulmonology, with particular interests in asthma and chronic lung disease."
"The hospital established a new centre for paediatric pulmonology."
"Recent advances in pulmonology have improved the treatment of severe asthma."
Rare; the term is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"Her research interests span pulmonologies across adult and paediatric medicine."
Pulmonology puts the spotlight on the lungs—the organs that quietly power every breath you take.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pulmonology come from?
Pulmonology comes from Latin pulmo, meaning “lung,” together with the Greek-derived suffix -logy, meaning “the study of.” The corresponding combining form is pulmo-, giving related English words such as pulmonary and pulmonic. Its Greek-language counterpart pneumo- appears in cognates including pneumonia and pneumonic.
Related word forms
How pulmonology is actually used
This is a formal medical term. In general use, “respiratory medicine” is more widely understood, especially in British English.