A medical procedure in which a bronchoscope is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then recollected for examination.
The removal of secretions, cells, and protein from the lower respiratory tract by insertion of sterile saline solution into the airways through a fiberoptic bronchoscope or a blindly inserted catheter. The fluid may be used to treat cystic fibrosis, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, or bronchial obstruction due to mucus plugging, or to obtain specimens for diagnostic purposes.
The act of rinsing away cellular components residing within the alveoli situated at the terminus of the bronchioles.