Final answer:
Pneumonia is characterized by the inflammation and fluid filling of the alveoli in the lungs, inhibiting gas exchange and leading to symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing. It is often caused by infection and appears as shadows on chest radiographs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abnormal condition mentioned in the statement 'Apices are clipped and the scapula is in the lungs' is most likely referring to pneumonia. Pneumonia is the disease characterized by the inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs which then become filled with fluid, thereby inhibiting gas exchange. This fluid accumulation can appear as 'shadows' on chest radiographs, and symptoms typically include coughing, difficulty breathing, and crackling sounds when breathing, among others. Pneumonia can be triggered by infections from bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and injury to the lungs can also lead to this condition.
Contrary to conditions like asthma, which involves the periodic narrowing of airways, or COPD and emphysema, where there is a reduction in the number of alveoli and diminished lung elasticity, pneumonia specifically involves the filling of alveoli with fluid. Early and appropriate treatment, often with antibiotics in the case of bacterial pneumonia, is necessary to resolve the infection and prevent complications.