How to Pronounce Thoracentesis
How do you pronounce Thoracentesis?
Thoracentesis is pronounced "thor-ah-sen-TEE-sis". It has 5 syllables: thor - ah - sen - tee - sis. The stress falls on the fourth syllable, "tee".
How many syllables are in Thoracentesis?
Thoracentesis has 5 syllables: thor - ah - sen - tee - sis.
What does Thoracentesis mean?
Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain fluid or air from the pleural space — the area between the lung and the chest wall. It relieves pressure on the lung and provides fluid samples for diagnosis of infection, cancer, or heart failure.
Etymology & Word Parts
Clinical Usage
Thoracentesis is performed for diagnostic (cytology, culture, chemistry of pleural fluid) and therapeutic (dyspnea relief) purposes. Light's criteria classify effusions as exudates vs. transudates. Complications include pneumothorax, bleeding, and re-expansion pulmonary edema. Ultrasound guidance significantly reduces complication rates.
Common Mispronunciations
Where You’ll Encounter This
Pulmonology, interventional radiology, hospitalist medicine, ICU, oncology (malignant effusions).
Master Thoracentesis and 1,100+ More
Practice pronunciation with AI feedback, flashcards, and spaced repetition.
Download on App Store