Synonym for thoracentesis ... <procedure> A medical procedure that involves the removal of fluid from the chest cavity using a hollow bore needle. ... Thoracentesis is performed for therapeutic reasons when drawing off large volumes of fluid and for diagnostic reasons (to analyse the fluid). ... (27 Sep 1997) ... 
(thor″ә-ko-sen-te´sis) thoracentesis.
Type: Term Pronunciation: thō′ră-kō-sen-tē′sis Synonyms: thoracentesis
Procedure in which a sterile hypodermic needle is inserted into the chest cavity in order to remove accumulated air or fluid, or to obtain a sample of fluid or lung tissue for examination.
[n] - removal of fluid from the chest by centesis for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
Taking fluid out of the space between the tissues that cover the lungs (the pleural cavity).
thoracentesis noun removal of fluid from the chest by centesis for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes