What does unequal chest expansion mean?

Unequal chest expansion refers to a situation where one side of the chest expands less than the other during breathing. This can indicate underlying issues such as lung disease, pleural effusion, pneumonia, or a pneumothorax. It is often assessed during a physical examination and may suggest impaired function or structural abnormalities in the lungs or chest wall. Medical evaluation is essential to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.