Definition

Pneumothorax (pronounced noo-moh-thor-ax) is a condition in which air or some other gas collects in the chest or the pleural space. The pleural space is the space that surrounds the lungs. When a gas collects in the pleural space, it can cause part or all of a lung to collapse. For that reason, pneumothorax is also called collapsed lung.

Description

Normally, pressure inside the lungs is greater than pressure in the pleural space. This difference in pressure allows the lungs to stay filled with air. But air or some other gas can get into the pleural space. When it does so, the normal condition is reversed. Pressure in the pleural space becomes greater than pressure in the lungs. This extra pressure on the lungs can cause them to collapse partially or completely.

Causes

Sometimes pneumothorax occurs for no known reason. In such a case, the process is...