Pneumothorax is defined as air in which space that can cause partial or complete lung collapse?

Dive into medical terminology with The Pitt Medical Terminology Test. Enhance your learning using flashcards and multiple choice questions. Prepare for your exam confidently with detailed hints and explanations.

Multiple Choice

Pneumothorax is defined as air in which space that can cause partial or complete lung collapse?

Explanation:
Pneumothorax happens when air enters the pleural space, the thin gap between the lung surface and the chest wall. This space normally holds a tiny amount of fluid and maintains a negative pressure that keeps the lung expanded. When air fills that space, the negative pressure is lost, the lung cannot stay fully inflated, and it may partially or completely collapse. The other conditions describe different problems: blood in the pleural space is a hemothorax; air in the trachea involves the airway itself rather than the pleural space; and fluid in the pleural space is a pleural effusion.

Pneumothorax happens when air enters the pleural space, the thin gap between the lung surface and the chest wall. This space normally holds a tiny amount of fluid and maintains a negative pressure that keeps the lung expanded. When air fills that space, the negative pressure is lost, the lung cannot stay fully inflated, and it may partially or completely collapse. The other conditions describe different problems: blood in the pleural space is a hemothorax; air in the trachea involves the airway itself rather than the pleural space; and fluid in the pleural space is a pleural effusion.

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