Medical term surgucal punture of the thoracic cavity?

The medical term for surgical puncture of the thoracic cavity is thoracentesis. This procedure involves inserting a needle or small tube into the pleural space, which is the space between the lungs and the chest wall, in order to drain fluid or air that has accumulated there. It can be done for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, to collect fluid for analysis or to relieve pressure on the lungs.