Hemothorax

Blood in the pleural or thoracic cavity.

Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity or pleural space; it is usually the result of injury, sometimes of blood vessel rupture associated with lung disease. The blood must be drained, or impaired lung function and infection may occur.

Abnormal presence of blood in the pleural cavity.

Blood that has collected in the space between the chest wall and the lung, an area called the pleural cavity. Hemothorax may be caused by cancer, a pulmonary embolism, chest surgery, tuberculosis, or tissue death in the lung, but it is most commonly caused by trauma or injury to the chest. A large hemothorax can produce shock in a person who has experienced trauma, and it may also be associated with a collapsed lung. Respiratory failure can result if a large amount of blood gathers in the pleural cavity.

Blood in the pleural cavity, usually due to injury. If the blood is not drained dense fibrous adhesions occur between the pleural surfaces, which can impair the normal movement of the lung. The blood may also become infected.

Blood or bloody fluid in the pleural cavity caused by rupture of blood vessels resulting from inflammation of the lungs in pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer, or trauma.