Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Apneumia

Pathology, Pediatrics

Also known as: Agenesis of the lungs, Congenital absence of lungs

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Apneumia is an extremely rare congenital absence or agenesis of the lungs, usually combined with other developmental anomalies such as acardius. It is incompatible with extrauterine life, though the chest cage can develop independently of the lungs.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

APNEUMIA (from the Greek a- negative particle, and pneumon - lung) denotes the congenital absence (agenesis) of the lungs; an extremely rare monstrosity, usually combined with other developmental anomalies, for example, of the acardius type (see). The chest cage in apneumia can be well developed, which proves the independence of its formation from the formation of the lungs. Agenesis may also affect only a single lung with the corresponding bronchus, which is often combined with developmental defects of the diaphragm and heart; agenesis of the left lung is observed more frequently. A fetus with apneumia is non-viable.

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“Apneumia.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/apneumia/