Extrapulmonares

Extrapulmonares refers to conditions or processes that originate or occur outside of the lungs. In a medical context, it is often used to differentiate symptoms or diseases from those primarily affecting the pulmonary system. For example, a cough that is not caused by a lung infection but by irritation in the esophagus could be described as extrapulmonares in origin.

This term is particularly relevant in the study of diseases that can manifest with respiratory symptoms but have their roots elsewhere. Conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to chronic cough and aspiration, which are extrapulmonares causes of airway irritation. Similarly, cardiac conditions such as heart failure can cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), but the primary issue is with the heart, making the pulmonary manifestations a secondary, albeit significant, consequence of an extrapulmonares problem.

Neurological disorders affecting swallowing can also lead to aspiration, resulting in respiratory complications. In such cases, the neurological deficit is the extrapulmonares cause. Understanding whether a respiratory symptom is pulmonary or extrapulmonares in origin is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, guiding medical professionals to investigate the appropriate organ systems.