Air in the pleural cavity caused by a puncture of the lung or chest wall is called?

Air in the pleural cavity caused by a puncture of the lung or chest wall is called?

• A. Atelectasis
• B. Hemothorax
• C. Pleural Effusion
• D. Pneumothorax

Answer: (D)

Air in the pleural cavity caused by a puncture is pneumothorax. The pleural space normally has a slight negative pressure that helps keep the lung inflated. When a chest wall or lung puncture lets air into that space, the negative pressure is lost, the lung can’t stay fully expanded, and it may collapse partially or completely. Atelectasis is collapse of lung tissue from loss of air in the alveoli or external compression, not air in the pleural space. Hemothorax is blood in the pleural space, and pleural effusion is fluid in the pleural space. In trauma, pneumothorax may be simple or progress to tension pneumothorax, requiring interventions to re-expand the lung.

Air in the pleural cavity caused by a puncture is pneumothorax. The pleural space normally has a slight negative pressure that helps keep the lung inflated. When a chest wall or lung puncture lets air into that space, the negative pressure is lost, the lung can’t stay fully expanded, and it may collapse partially or completely.

Atelectasis is collapse of lung tissue from loss of air in the alveoli or external compression, not air in the pleural space. Hemothorax is blood in the pleural space, and pleural effusion is fluid in the pleural space. In trauma, pneumothorax may be simple or progress to tension pneumothorax, requiring interventions to re-expand the lung.