respiratory distress syndrome

a disorder in some newborn babies in which the lungs fail to expand due to deficiency of a natural surfactant that prevents the alveoli (air sacs) from collapsing. The alveoli are lined with a membrane of hyaline material. The condition, which is most common in premature infants, may worsen progressively before the lungs begin producing surfactant. Also called hyaline membrane disease.

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Psychology term of the day

February 18th 2025

perspectivism

n. a philosophical position in which it is assumed that there is no objective, context-independent truth. Perspectivism is sometimes applied to psychotherapy. [derived from the work of Friedrich Nietzsche]