Answer:
The statement refers to a pneumothorax.
A pneumothorax is a collection of free air in the thoracic cavity causing the lungs to collapse due to an underlying disease.
Explanation:
Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity as a result of a lung or chest wall injury. Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. The pleural cavity is the space between the lung and the rib cage. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and causes it to collapse. In most cases, only a portion of the lung collapses. Depending on the cause, it may be primary spontaneous pneumothorax, which occurs in patients who have not previously suffered from any lung disease; and secondary spontaneous, which affects patients with a pre-existing lung disease.
