pneumothorax

American  

[noo-muh-thawr-aks, -thohr-, nyoo-] / ˌnu məˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr-, ˌnyu- /

noun

Pathology.

1. the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

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pneumothorax British  

/ ˌnjuːməʊˈθɔːræks /

noun

1. the abnormal presence of air between the lung and the wall of the chest (pleural cavity), resulting in collapse of the lung

2. med the introduction of air into the pleural cavity to collapse the lung: a former treatment for tuberculosis

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pneumothorax Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′mō-thôr′ăks′ /

1. Accumulation of a gas, such as air, in the space between the pleurae of the lungs and the pleurae lining the chest wall (called the pleural cavity), occurring as a result of disease or injury or induced to collapse the lung in the treatment of tuberculosis and other lung diseases. A large pneumothorax is treated by inserting a syringe or a tube into the pleural cavity to aspirate air, which helps the collapsed lung to expand.

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Etymology

Origin of pneumothorax

From New Latin, dating back to 1815–25; see origin at pneumo-, thorax

Example Sentences

Mr Bennett said a medical report found Mrs Thornton-Sandy's cause of death was tension pneumothorax and traumatic brain injury.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

She developed a pneumothorax — air trapped between the lung and chest wall — on each side.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

A doctor just about to perform a pneumothorax procedure heard the distant sound of planes, pulled the needle out of his patient, and dived for cover.

From Salon • Aug. 6, 2015

He'll be monitored obviously extremely closely regarding the pneumothorax and we'll see how that goes.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 21, 2011

Where there is an excess of air in the chest cavity, as in emphysema or in pneumothorax, the percussion sound becomes abnormally loud and clear.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry