thoracentesis

American  

[thawr-uh-sen-tee-sis, thohr-] / ˌθɔr ə sɛnˈti sɪs, ˌθoʊr- /

noun

thoracenteses plural

1. insertion of a hollow needle or similar instrument into the pleural cavity of the chest in order to drain pleural fluid.

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thoracentesis British  

/ ˌθɔːrəkəʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs, ˌθɔːrəsɛnˈtiːsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: pleurocentesis.  med the surgical puncture of the pleural cavity using a hollow needle, in order to withdraw fluid, drain blood, etc

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• thoracenteses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of thoracentesis

First recorded in 1855–60; thora(c)- + centesis

Example Sentences

But toward the end my correspondent stated, “last week I needed to have a thoracentesis for a large pleural effusion” after a seven hour wait in an emergency room.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2015