exsufflation
/ˌɛksəˈfleɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1 Medicine The removal of material from a body cavity (especially the lung) by blowing: only 7.7% of patients required exsufflation or drainage...
- After exsufflation, secretions and mucus plugs are carried into the mouth and facemask.
- A useful alternative to tracheal suctioning is the intervention provided by mechanical exsufflation.
- Any delay in exsufflation and treatment can prove to be fatal.
2 rare The action or process of breathing out; exhalation.The deflation starts simultaneously in both lungs, but after half a second, a limited exsufflation, a trapping slowly develops....
- After exsufflation of about 260 ml of air the pressure became negative.
- The maximum flow reached during the exsufflation was analyzed.
2.1 Theology The action of blowing as a form of exorcism or to symbolize renunciation of the devil: sometimes the exorcist used the rite of exsufflation...
- In exsufflation the devil is blown out who holds the little one guilty by infection of sin.
- The Church would neither exorcise the children of the faithful nor subject them to the rite of exsufflation.
- Luther retained the customary prebaptismal ceremonies of exsufflation, the giving of salt, and anointing.
Origin
Early 16th century: late Latin, from the verb exsufflare, from ex- 'out' + sufflare 'to blow'.