What it means
A normal adult chest is about twice as wide as it is deep. In a barrel chest the ribs are set more horizontally and the chest looks round, like a barrel. It develops over years when air stays trapped in overinflated lungs, as in COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry and emphysemaem-fuh-SEE-muhA long-term lung disease in which the walls of the tiny air sacs are damaged and lose their stretch.Full entry . A rounded chest is normal in infants and can come with aging.
For the nurse
Note the chest shape during inspection and compare it with earlier findings.
At a glance
| Also written | barrel-chested |
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