US Medical Term · conditions
Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)
Neumotórax (pulmón colapsado)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung) |
| Spanish (Español) | Neumotórax (pulmón colapsado) |
| Chinese (中文) | 氣胸 |
| Korean (한국어) | 기흉 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Tràn khí màng phổi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pneumothorax (bumagsak na baga) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Pneumotórax (pulmão colapsado) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ลมรั่วในช่องเยื่อหุ้มปอด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 気胸 |
What it means
Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse partially or completely. It can happen spontaneously, especially in tall thin young adults, or result from a chest injury, medical procedure, or underlying lung disease such as COPD. Symptoms include sudden sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. A small pneumothorax may heal on its own with rest, while a large one requires a chest tube to remove the trapped air and allow the lung to re-expand. A tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency where trapped air compresses the heart and requires immediate intervention.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have sudden sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing and was told I may have a collapsed lung.
Tengo un dolor agudo repentino en el pecho y dificultad para respirar, y me dijeron que podría tener un pulmón colapsado.
Do I need a chest tube for my pneumothorax or will it heal on its own?
¿Necesito un tubo de tórax para mi neumotórax o se curará solo?
Is my COPD putting me at higher risk for another pneumothorax?
¿Mi EPOC me pone en mayor riesgo de tener otro neumotórax?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
J93 Pneumothorax and air leakRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026