Tags: Disease.
A pneumothorax (pneumo- + thorax; plural pneumothoraces) is an abnormal collection of air or gas in the pleural space that separates the lung from the chest wall. Like pleural effusion (liquid buildup in that space) pneumothorax may interfere with normal breathing.A primary pneumothorax is one that occurs without an apparent cause and in the absence of significant lung disease while a secondary pneumothorax occurs in the presence of existing lung pathology.
