thoracentesis
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌθɔrəˈsɛnˌtɪsɪs/
- Specialized
- After the thoracentesis, the patient's breathing improved significantly.
Examples
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The procedure known as thoracentesis is crucial for diagnosing pleural effusion.
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It's called thoracentesis.
-
Thoracentesis.
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We'll also test the pleural fluid from the thoracentesis to create a more targeted antibiotic strategy.
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CT scan showed bilateral pleural effusions occupying one-third of the hemithorax by volume, and he underwent thoracentesis, which yielded a transudate with negative cultures.
Academic text (2007) -
The doctor performed a thoracentesis to remove excess fluid from the patient's chest cavity.
Synonyms
To remove fluid from the space around the lungs to check or relieve a problem
How Invasive
- Specialized
13
9.9
∞
2.7
- Specialized
1
9.9
7
3.0
213
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
thoracentesis = thorax (opaque) = thorac + centesis
The word is medically formed from the chest element 'thorac-' and the puncture suffix '-centesis', but both are specialized and not readily inferable for typical learners.
Etymology
The word thoracentesis comes from thorac- meaning 'chest' and -centesis meaning 'puncture'. So, it literally means a puncture of the chest and describes the medical procedure where a doctor uses a needle to remove fluid from the chest.