What is the condition defined as the accumulation of fluid in the lung tissues?

The condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lung tissues is pulmonary edema. This occurs when fluid leaks from the blood vessels into the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties and impaired gas exchange. It can be caused by various factors including heart failure, pneumonia, or toxic inhalation, and it can manifest as sudden shortness of breath or a feeling of drowning.

Understanding pulmonary edema is crucial for recognizing serious health issues that require timely intervention, differentiating it from other conditions like pleural effusion, which involves fluid accumulation in the pleural space rather than the lung tissue itself.