PYOTHORAX Meaning and
Definition
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Pyothorax is a medical term that refers to the presence of pus or infected fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall, known as the pleural cavity. The pleural cavity normally contains a small amount of fluid that lubricates and facilitates the movement of the lungs during breathing. However, in pyothorax, this fluid becomes infected with bacteria, leading to the accumulation of pus.
Pyothorax typically arises as a complication of a lung infection, such as pneumonia, where the infection spreads to the pleural cavity. It can also occur due to the presence of an infected chest wound, lung abscesses, or a complication of thoracic surgeries. Common symptoms of pyothorax include severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, fever, and general signs of infection, such as fatigue and malaise.
Diagnosis of pyothorax usually involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies (such as chest X-rays or CT scans), and analysis of fluid samples through thoracentesis. Treatment often consists of draining the infected fluid from the pleural cavity using a tube inserted through the chest wall (chest tube). Antibiotics are also usually prescribed to target the underlying infection.
If left untreated, pyothorax can result in serious complications, such as the formation of lung abscesses, sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body), or even respiratory failure. Therefore, prompt medical intervention is essential to manage pyothorax effectively and prevent further complications.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PYOTHORAX
- oyothorax
- lyothorax
- -yothorax
- 0yothorax
- pgothorax
- phothorax
- puothorax
- p7othorax
- p6othorax
- pyithorax
- pykthorax
- pylthorax
- pypthorax
- py0thorax
- py9thorax
- pyorhorax
- pyofhorax
- pyoghorax
- pyoyhorax
- pyo6horax
Etymology of PYOTHORAX
The word "pyothorax" can be broken down into two parts: "pyo-" and "thorax".
The prefix "pyo-" comes from the Greek word "pyon", which means "pus" or "pus-like". It is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology to indicate something related to pus.
The second part, "thorax", is derived from the Greek word "thorax", meaning "chest" or "breastplate". It refers to the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen that houses the lungs, heart, and other organs.
Therefore, the word "pyothorax" combines these two roots to describe a condition where pus accumulates in the pleural cavity or space surrounding the lungs within the thorax.
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