What medical condition is characterized by a collapsing lung due to air in the thoracic cavity?

A pneumothorax is a medical condition where air enters the pleural space, the area between the lung and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to an imbalance of pressure, resulting in the collapse of the lung on the affected side. When the lung collapses, it cannot expand fully during inhalation, which can cause difficulty breathing and decreased oxygenation of the blood.

In a pneumothorax, the presence of air in the thoracic cavity can occur spontaneously, due to injury, or as a result of certain medical procedures. Symptoms often include sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. Treatment may involve observing the condition if it is mild or inserting a chest tube to remove the air in more severe cases.

Other conditions mentioned do not involve the presence of air in the thoracic cavity in the same manner. Hydrothorax refers to the accumulation of fluid, specifically serous fluid, in the pleural space. A pulmonary embolism involves a blockage in the pulmonary artery, typically caused by blood clots, which restricts blood flow to the lung rather than causing lung collapse. Hemothorax involves the accumulation of blood in the pleural space, typically due to trauma, rather than air. These conditions may have similar