microatelectasis

ad·he·sive at·el·ec·ta·sis

alveolar collapse in the presence of patent airways, especially when surfactant is inactivated or absent, particularly in respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, acute radiation pneumonitis, or viral pneumonia. Synonym(s): microatelectasis, nonobstructive atelectasis

microatelectasis

(mī″krō-ăt″ĕ-lĕk′tă-sĭs) Microscopic collapse of alveoli that does not involve the airways and may not appear on radiographic examination.