What procedure involves the collection of fluid from the thoracic cavity?

The procedure that involves the collection of fluid from the thoracic cavity is thoracentesis. This technique is performed to remove excess fluid for diagnostic purposes or to relieve respiratory distress caused by fluid accumulation, such as pleural effusion. During the procedure, a needle is inserted into the thoracic cavity, usually between the ribs, to carefully extract fluid. This fluid can then be analyzed for various conditions, including infections, cancers, and heart failure.

In contrast, abdominocentesis involves collecting fluid from the abdominal cavity, venipuncture refers to the process of puncturing a vein to obtain blood, and urinalysis encompasses the examination of urine to evaluate a patient’s health or diagnose conditions. Each of these other options serves a different purpose and involves different anatomical sites compared to thoracentesis, which specifically targets the thoracic cavity.