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Abnormal accumulation of air in pulmonary tissues is known as:

  1. Emphysema

  2. Empyema

  3. Pneumothorax

  4. Pneumoconiosis

The correct answer is: Pneumothorax

The abnormal accumulation of air in pulmonary tissues is specifically referred to as pneumothorax. This condition arises when air penetrates the pleural space, leading to a collapse of the lung on the affected side, as the air disrupts the pressure balance that keeps the lung inflated. A pneumothorax can occur spontaneously or as a result of injury, and it may cause symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. Emphysema, while related to air in the lungs, is a chronic condition characterized by the destruction of alveoli, which leads to difficulty in expelling air but does not involve the abnormal accumulation of air in the pulmonary tissues in the same way. Empyema refers to the accumulation of pus in the pleural space, usually due to infection, and does not pertain to air at all. Pneumoconiosis describes a group of lung diseases caused by inhaling inorganic dust, leading to lung tissue scarring and inflammation, but again does not involve an accumulation of air.