PNEUMOTHORAX
\njˈuːməθˌɔːɹaks], \njˈuːməθˌɔːɹaks], \n_j_ˈuː_m_ə_θ_ˌɔː_ɹ_a_k_s]\
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An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space, which may occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma or a pathological process, or be introduced deliberately ( = PNEUMOTHORAX, ARTIFICIAL). (Dorland, 27th ed)
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
By William R. Warner
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An accumulation of air in the cavity of the pleura. A complaint generally sudden in its invasion and fatal in its character. In many instances, along with the air, a liquid is effused,-Hydropneumothorax. The disease may be spontaneous and simple, but in a large proportion of cases it is complicated with pleurisy and pulmonary tubercles. The signs vary according as there is, or is not, a communication between the pleura and the bronchia. The affected side gives a hollow, tympanitic sound, even where the thickness of the parietes of the thorax is great. When the effusion is considerable, the affected side is dilated, but there is no rale of any kind. When a gaseous and a liquid effusion are present at the same time, the sound on percussion is found to be clear at the superior part of the thorax, but dull inferiorly; hence, by varying the position of the patient, and by consequence that of the contained fluids, the seats of the clear and the dull sound will be varied. When the gaseous effusion is owing to a fistulous communication between the pleura and bronchia, the metallic respiration and resonances are heard; and if there be both gaseous and liquid effusion, with a fistulous communication, in addition to these signs there is the tintement metollique. The presence of liquid can always be ascertained by succussion. See Emphysema of the lungs.
By Robley Dunglison
By Willam Alexander Newman Dorland
