Pneumothorax
/ˌnjuːməˈθɔːræks/noun
A medical condition where air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
Did you know?In ancient medicine, air was considered a vital life force, and its improper presence in the body was thought to disrupt the balance of health and spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πνεῦμα (pneuma)
“Breath, spirit, or air; a vital force in living beings.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θώραξ (thorax)
“The chest or breast; the area housing vital organs.”
19th Century
English
pneumothorax
“A term created to describe air in the pleural cavity, derived from Greek roots.”
Modern English
English
pneumothorax
“Adopted into medical terminology to indicate a pathological condition.”