What it means
Each line is a thin wall between small sections of lung that has thickened, most often with fluid. They are a classic chest x-ray sign of fluid in the lung tissue (interstitial pulmonary edemaPUL-muh-nair-ee ih-DEE-muhA buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.pulmon/o lung-ary having to do withedema swelling with fluidFull entry ), as in heart failurehart FAYL-yerA long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.Full entry , and can also come from some lung diseases and cancers spreading through the lymph vessels. They are named after Peter Kerley, an Irish radiologist.
At a glance
| Also written | Kerley B-lines |
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Related terms
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.
x-ray
A picture of the inside of the body made with a small dose of radiation; also called a radiograph.