(medicine) A physical stance a person in respiratory distress takes leaning their hands on their thighs with their arms supported on them; leaning or sitting against a wall in a similar fashion
2005, Richard M. Schwartzstein, Michael J. Parker, Respiratory physiology: a clinical approach, page 16:
A patient in the tripod position is likely to have a problem with the ventilatory pump or a need for high levels of ventilation.
