What does barotrauma refer to?

Barotrauma specifically refers to injuries that occur due to changes in pressure, particularly during activities such as flying or diving. As pressure changes rapidly, the body, especially air-filled spaces like the lungs, ears, and sinuses, may experience expansion or contraction. If these pressure changes occur too swiftly or are too extreme, they can lead to physical injuries.

For example, during ascent or descent in an aircraft, the difference in pressure inside the body compared to the external environment can cause discomfort, pain, or even more severe injuries, such as a ruptured eardrum or pneumothorax. Understanding the mechanics of pressure and how it affects the body is crucial in aviation medicine, especially for pilots and passengers who are frequently exposed to varying altitudes and pressures.

The other options involve different mechanisms of injury that are unrelated to pressure changes; hence they do not define barotrauma.