A<unk>  is accumulation of excessive fluid in the pleural space, the potential space that surrounds each lung. Under normal conditions, pleural fluid is secreted by the parietal pleural capillaries at a rate of 0.6 millilitre<unk> r kilogram weight<unk> r hour, and is cleared by lymphatic absorption leaving behind only 5–15 millilitres of fluid, which helps to maintain a functional vacuum between the parietal and visceral pleurae. Excess fluid within the pleural space can impair inspiration by upsetting the functional vacuum and hydrostatically increasing the resistance against lung expansion, resulting in a fully or partially collapsed lung. Various kinds of fluid can accumulate in the pleural space, such as serous fluid (hydrothorax), blood (hemothorax), pus (pyothorax, more commonly known as pleural empyema), chyle (chylothorax), or very rarely urine (urinothorax). When unspecified, the term<unk> " normally refers to hydrothorax. A<unk>  can also be compounded by a pneumothorax (accumulation of air in the pleural space), leading to a hydropneumothorax.
Pleural effusion
Pleural empyema
Pleurisy
Parapneumonic effusion
Hydrothorax
Pneumothorax
Malignant pleural effusion
Hemothorax