PLEURAL EMPYEMAS Meaning and
Definition
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Pleural empyemas are a type of infection that affects the pleural cavity. The pleural cavity is the space between the outer lining of the lungs (pleura) and the inner lining of the chest wall. Empyemas occur when there is a buildup of pus within this cavity due to a bacterial or fungal infection.
Typically, pleural empyemas are a complication of another respiratory infection, such as pneumonia or lung abscess. The infection spreads to the pleural cavity either directly or through the bloodstream, leading to an accumulation of pus. This can cause symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosing pleural empyemas usually involves a combination of physical examination, medical history assessment, and various imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans. Once diagnosed, treatment typically involves draining the pus from the pleural cavity using a procedure called thoracentesis, where a needle or tube is inserted to remove the fluid. Antibiotics or antifungal medications are also prescribed to help clear the infection.
If left untreated, pleural empyemas can lead to serious complications such as lung tissue damage, sepsis (a potentially life-threatening infection spreading throughout the body), or the formation of abscesses. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential in managing this condition and preventing further complications.
Common Misspellings for PLEURAL EMPYEMAS
- oleural empyemas
- lleural empyemas
- -leural empyemas
- 0leural empyemas
- pkeural empyemas
- ppeural empyemas
- poeural empyemas
- plwural empyemas
- plsural empyemas
- pldural empyemas
- plrural empyemas
- pl4ural empyemas
- pl3ural empyemas
- pleyral empyemas
- plehral empyemas
- plejral empyemas
- pleiral empyemas
- ple8ral empyemas
- ple7ral empyemas
- pleueal empyemas
Etymology of PLEURAL EMPYEMAS
The word "pleural empyemas" can be divided into two parts: "pleural" and "empyemas".
The term "pleural" refers to the pleura, which is a thin, serous membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs. It is derived from the Latin word "pleura", meaning "side" or "rib".
The word "empyemas" is the plural form of "empyema", which refers to a collection of pus in a body cavity, particularly the pleural cavity in this case. It is derived from the Greek word "empyema", meaning "suppuration" or "pus".
Therefore, "pleural empyemas" can be understood as the plural form of "empyema" specifically occurring in the pleural cavity.
