Pulmonology is the study and science of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lungs. It is considered as a subspecialty of internal medicine as it deals with the study and treatment of the diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. Pulmonology is also known in other countries as Pneumology, Respiratory medicine, Chest medicine and Pulmonary medicine. This branch of medicine is also closely related to intensive care medicine as it deals with patients that require mechanical ventilation.
Chest medicine is not a specialty by itself but it is a term used to describe the treatment of chest ailments and it also includes the fields of pulmonology, intensive care medicine and thoracic surgery.
The primary focus of the Pulmonology is the treatment of lung diseases including the handling and prevention of tuberculosis. Medical experts specializing in Pulmonology are called pulmonologists.
