Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion
Diagram of fluid buildup in the pleura
SpecialtyPulmonology

A pleural effusion is when there is a large amount of fluid in the pleural space, the potential space that surrounds each lung.[1]

There are many types of pleural effusion and they include:

  • Serous fluid (hydrothorax)
  • Blood (haemothorax)
  • Chyle (chylothorax)
  • Pus (pyothorax or empyema)
  • Urine (urinothorax)

References

  1. "Pleural effusion". U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2 July 2021.