Pneumothorax involves which of the following?

Pneumothorax involves which of the following?

• A. Air in the pleural cavity leading to lung collapse
• B. Blood in the pleural cavity
• C. Fluid in the pleural space
• D. Infection of the lung tissue

Answer: (A)

Pneumothorax is defined by air in the pleural space, which disrupts the normal negative pressure that keeps the lung expanded. When air enters the pleural cavity, the elastic recoil of the lung can no longer keep it fully inflated, so the lung may collapse to a variable extent. This exposure is different from other pleural problems: blood in the pleural space describes a hemothorax, fluid in the pleural space describes a pleural effusion, and infection of the lung tissue points to pneumonia (with possible pleural infection in some cases). The hallmark is the presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.

Pneumothorax is defined by air in the pleural space, which disrupts the normal negative pressure that keeps the lung expanded. When air enters the pleural cavity, the elastic recoil of the lung can no longer keep it fully inflated, so the lung may collapse to a variable extent. This exposure is different from other pleural problems: blood in the pleural space describes a hemothorax, fluid in the pleural space describes a pleural effusion, and infection of the lung tissue points to pneumonia (with possible pleural infection in some cases). The hallmark is the presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.