Question: aspiration of fluid from the pleural space is
Answer: Thoracentesis / ˌθɔːrəsɪnˈtiːsɪs / , also known as thoracocentesis ( from the Greek θώραξ thōrax `` chest , thorax '' -- GEN thōrakos -- and κέντησις kentēsis `` pricking , puncture '' ) or pleural tap ( from the Greek πλευρά pleura or πλευρόν pleuron `` side , rib '' ) , is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes .