Final answer:
Pulmonary nodules are generally less than 3cm in size. They are categorized as <1cm, 1-3cm, and those larger than 3cm are considered masses. The size of a nodule can be determined with imaging studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The size of pulmonary nodules varies, but they are typically categorized by their diameter. A nodule is generally considered to be a small, rounded lesion that is less than 3cm in diameter. Specifically, for the options provided:
- Option 1) Pulmonary nodules smaller than 1cm are described as < 1cm.
- Option 2) Nodules that are between 1cm and 3cm in size are described as 1-3cm.
- Option 3) Nodules larger than 3cm are typically considered masses and are described as > 3cm.
- Option 4) In general, the size of a pulmonary nodule can be determined through imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans, so option 4, which Cannot be determined, is not applicable.
In summary, pulmonary nodules are categorized based on their size, and anything larger than 3cm is often referred to as a lung mass rather than a nodule.