pneumonic

Pneumonic is an adjective used primarily in medical and scientific contexts to denote a relationship to the lungs or to pneumonia. The term derives from the Greek pneumôn, meaning lung, via Latinized forms such as pneumonic and pneumon- that appear in several compound terms. It is distinct from pneumatic, which relates more broadly to air, gas, or pressure and their movement.

In medical usage, pneumonic describes conditions, findings, or diseases associated with pneumonia. For example, pneumonic consolidation can be observed on chest imaging, and pneumonic effusion refers to fluid in the pleural space related to pneumonia. A notable exception is pneumonic plague, a form of plague in which infection primarily involves the lungs and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, requiring urgent public health intervention.

The word is sometimes confused with mnemonic, which means a device or technique to aid memory. The two terms have different roots and meanings, though they share similar spelling. Pneumonic remains the standard form when describing lung- or pneumonia-related matters, while mnemonic applies to memory aids.