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Glite Dictionary
pyothorax

pyothorax

9.9
An illness in which infected fluid collects between a lung and the chest wall
  • noun
  • /ˌpaɪəˈθɔræks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : piotórax
  • If left untreated, pyothorax can lead to serious complications and requires prompt medical attention.

Examples

  • Is pyothorax a common condition in cats?

  • The patient was diagnosed with pyothorax last week.

  • The doctor confirmed the presence of pyothorax after reviewing the patient's chest X-ray.

  • Treatment for pyothorax often involves antibiotics and draining the infected fluid.

  • The patient was diagnosed with pyothorax after experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing.

  • Doctors found pyothorax during the examination, leading to immediate medical intervention.

  • Treatment for pyothorax often involves draining the accumulated pus to relieve pressure in the chest.

Synonyms

empyema
vspyothorax
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A collection of pus in the space around the lungs that often follows infection

is specifically about pus in the space between lung and chest wall
purulent pleurisy
vspyothorax
  • Specialized
7.9

Pus in the space between a lung and the chest wall that causes pain and trouble breathing

focuses on pus collecting there rather than on the inflammation

How Severe

hemothorax
  • Specialized
5 9.9
pyothorax
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

pyothorax singular
pyothoraxes plural

Morphology

pyothorax = thorax (opaque) = pyo + thorax

The combining form 'pyo-' meaning 'pus' is a specialized medical combining form not known to average B1 learners, so the term is not reliably interpretable from 'thorax' alone.

Etymology

Pyothorax comes from Greek parts pyo- meaning 'pus' and thorax meaning 'chest', so it literally means 'pus in the chest'. That's why pyothorax is the medical name for when infected fluid or pus builds up in the space around the lungs.