Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion01:29

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion

The respiratory system, fundamental to life, consists of complex structures responsible for gas exchange. The percussion assessment is critical to understanding this system's health and functionality. This non-invasive assessment technique allows healthcare providers to evaluate the density or aeration of the lungs, thereby identifying potential abnormalities.
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation01:24

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical in identifying potential health issues. One key component of this assessment is palpation, a technique healthcare providers use to assess the body for abnormalities. This content explores the method of palpation in evaluating the respiratory tract, focusing on thoracic palpation and tactile fremitus.
Thoracic Palpation
Thoracic palpation detects tenderness, masses, lesions, respiratory excursions, and vocal fremitus. The nurse assesses...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Methodological recommendations for forensic medical examination of bodily injuries].

Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii·2026
Same author

[Out-of-hospital death confirmation algorithm].

Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii·2026
Same author

Double Fatal Sodium Nitrite Poisoning-Double Homicide, Extended Suicide, or Suicide and Accident?

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Analysis of cases concerning assessment of the correctness of orthodontic treatment in the material of the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz.

Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii·2025
Same author

The authors' response to the letter to the editor regarding the article 'The age profile of court-appointed physicians in Poland. Status at the end of 2021'.

Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii·2024
Same author

The age profile of court-appointed physicians in Poland. Status at the end of 2021.

Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii·2023
Same journal

Machine learning algorithms in the estimation of sex from 3DCT-generated cranial and pelvic measurements.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
Same journal

Combined lethal intoxication involving 2-methyl-2-butanol.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
Same journal

Applicability of imprinted DIP-SNP markers in DNA mixture analysis: a pilot study.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
Same journal

Clinical assessment and diagnostic features of fellatio-associated palatal lesions in forensic sexual abuse investigations: a systematic review.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
Same journal

Temporal and spatial RNA expression dynamics in postmortem skin support PMI estimation and reveal spatial signatures of antemortem injury.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
Same journal

First case of drug-facilitated sexual assault involving metizolam.

International journal of legal medicine·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
05:56

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit

Published on: September 6, 2024

Window test for pneumothorax.

Anna Smędra1, Paweł Kosmatka2, Jarosław Berent2

  • 1Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Urzędnicza 44, Lodz, 91-304, Poland. anna.smedra@umed.lodz.pl.

International Journal of Legal Medicine
|June 7, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Forensic pathologists can use the simple window test to detect pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity) during autopsies. This method aids in determining the cause of death in both traumatic and non-traumatic cases.

Keywords:
DiagnosisForensic medicinePneumothoraxTraumaWindow test

More Related Videos

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
09:17

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: March 3, 2023

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
05:56

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit

Published on: September 6, 2024

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
09:17

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: March 3, 2023

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Pulmonology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Pneumothorax, the presence of gas in the pleural space, is crucial in forensic autopsies.
  • While often associated with trauma, pneumothorax can occur in non-traumatic circumstances.
  • Accurate diagnosis is vital for determining the cause, mechanism, and manner of death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of diagnosing pneumothorax in all forensic autopsies, not just traumatic cases.
  • To introduce and advocate for the routine use of the window test for pneumothorax detection.
  • To provide a clear guide on performing and interpreting the window test.

Main Methods:

  • Review of traditional pneumothorax diagnostic methods (water test, X-ray, postmortem CT).
  • Introduction of the rarely described "window test" for pneumothorax.
  • Demonstration of the window test procedure and interpretation, supported by an instructional video.

Main Results:

  • Traditional methods for diagnosing pneumothorax are often difficult to apply routinely in forensic settings.
  • The window test is presented as a simple, fast, and effective alternative.
  • The window test requires minimal equipment and assistance, making it suitable for routine autopsy procedures.

Conclusions:

  • The window test is a valuable, easily implementable tool for routine pneumothorax detection during forensic autopsies.
  • Its routine application can help prevent the underdiagnosis of pneumothorax in both traumatic and non-traumatic deaths.
  • This method enhances the accuracy of forensic death investigations.