Which procedure involves removal of the entire lung?

• A. Pneumonectomy
• B. Lobectomy
• C. Pneumonitis
• D. Thoracotomy

Answer: (A)

Removing the entire lung is called pneumonectomy. The term combines pneumon- meaning lung with -ectomy meaning removal, signaling that the whole lung is excised. A lobectomy, in contrast, removes only one lobe of a lung, not the entire organ. Pneumonitis refers to inflammation of lung tissue, which is a medical condition rather than a surgical procedure. Thoracotomy is a surgical approach involving an opening into the chest wall to access thoracic organs; it does not inherently mean the lung is removed.