Thoracentesis (THOR-a-sen-TE-sis) is a procedure to remove excess fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This space is called the pleural space. Normally, the pleural space is filled ...

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove excess fluid in the pleural space (the space between the lungs and the chest wall). When fluid builds up in the pleural space, it's called a pleural effusion. A ...