thoracentesis

[ thawr-uh-sen-tee-sis, thohr- ]

noun

, plural tho·ra·cen·te·ses [thawr-, uh, -sen-, tee, -seez, thohr-].

1. insertion of a hollow needle or similar instrument into the pleural cavity of the chest in order to drain pleural fluid.

thoracentesis

/ ˌθɔːrəkəʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs; ˌθɔːrəsɛnˈtiːsɪs /

noun

1. med the surgical puncture of the pleural cavity using a hollow needle, in order to withdraw fluid, drain blood, etc Also calledpleurocentesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of thoracentesis¹

First recorded in 1855–60; thora(c)- + centesis

Example Sentences

But toward the end my correspondent stated, “last week I needed to have a thoracentesis for a large pleural effusion” after a seven hour wait in an emergency room.

From New York Times