pneumothorax

noun

pneu·​mo·​tho·​rax ˌnü-mə-ˈthȯr-ˌaks 

ˌnyü-

: a condition in which air or other gas is present in the pleural cavity and which occurs spontaneously as a result of disease or injury of lung tissue, rupture of air-filled pulmonary cysts, or puncture of the chest wall or is induced as a therapeutic measure to collapse the lung

Examples of pneumothorax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Danish rider spent 12 days in the hospital after the crash, recovering from a fractured collarbone and ribs, a pulmonary contusion and a pneumothorax, and lung injuries. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024

According to the GoFundMe, Leo was diagnosed with a pneumothorax that was causing breathing difficulties, a broken tooth and jaw, and other bruises and lacerations. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2024

According to a 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, pneumothorax and lead dislodgment were the two most common complications, occurring at a rate of 3.87% and 8.39%, respectively. —Jennifer Whitlock, Rn, Msn, Fn, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2023

Hikers or bikers who broke a rib and punctured a lung during a hard tumble may be prone to tension pneumothorax, a potentially fatal condition. —Andrea Sachs, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023

Brees broke at least two ribs on his right side Sunday, and doctors believe that those broken ribs punctured the lung on his right side, creating what’s called a pneumothorax, according to Werder. —Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 16 Nov. 2020

This may include a pneumothorax (punctured lung) if needles are inserted in the chest.9 Who Should Not Get Dry Needling? —Brittany Ferri, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2023

Brees broke at least two ribs on his right side Sunday after being tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street, and doctors believe that those broken ribs punctured the lung on his right side, creating what’s called a pneumothorax, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. —Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 16 Nov. 2020

What's a pneumothorax? —Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 17 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pneumothorax

noun

pneu·​mo·​tho·​rax ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈthō(ə)r-ˌaks, -ˈthȯ(ə)r- 

plural pneumothoraxes or pneumothoraces -ˈthōr-ə-ˌsēz 

: a condition in which air or other gas is present in the pleural cavity and which occurs spontaneously as a result of disease or injury of lung tissue, rupture of air-filled pulmonary cysts, or puncture of the chest wall or is induced as a therapeutic measure to collapse the lung see tension pneumothorax compare oleothorax