What does pneumothorax mean?
A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, the narrow cavity between a lung and the chest wall. This can occur after chest trauma, during medical procedures, or spontaneously when a small rupture in the lung allows air to escape. A minor pneumothorax may be observed or treated with drainage, while a larger pneumothorax can cause the lung to collapse. In a tension pneumothorax, accumulating air presses against the heart and major blood vessels, sharply reducing blood flow and making the condition an emergency. The word is principally used in medicine, where its type is often identified by its cause, such as spontaneous, traumatic, or iatrogenic. Although people may use the term informally for a sudden lung collapse, pneumothorax specifically refers to air in the pleural space; blood in that space is called a hemothorax.
nounAn abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall, which can cause the affected lung to collapse. A small pneumothorax may cause little more than mild discomfort, while a large or tension pneumothorax can be life-threatening.
- The presence of air in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall, with or without collapse of the affected lung.
"The scan confirmed a small pneumothorax caused by a puncture to the chest."
"His sudden chest pain was diagnosed as a spontaneous pneumothorax."
"The surgeon inserted a chest tube to drain the pneumothorax and allow the lung to expand."
This is the standard clinical plural, although pneumothoraxes is also attested.
"The scan identified small bilateral pneumothoraces."
A pneumothorax can turn a breath into a medical emergency: air entering the chest cavity may force the lung inward and impair breathing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pneumothorax come from?
The word combines Greek roots meaning “lung” and “chest.” Its first element derives from Greek pneúmōn, the organ from which the English adjective pulmonary also comes, while its second derives from Greek thṓrax, meaning “breastplate” or “chest.” The compound entered English as a medical term for the accumulation of air in the chest cavity.
How pneumothorax is actually used
This is primarily a medical term. The plural form pneumothoraces is standard in clinical usage, although pneumothoraxes is also understood. The term may also be used informally as a shorter form of spontaneous pneumothorax, but the unqualified medical meaning is the presence of air in the pleural space.
Easily confused with pneumothorax
A pneumothorax contains air in the pleural space, whereas a hemothorax contains blood.