Hargitay suffers partially collapsed lung

Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay has suffered a partially collapsed lung.

A representative for the star confirmed that she had been sidelined with pneumothorax, but insisted that she will still be making all her scheduled appearances for the remainder of the season.

A collapsed lung can occur through injury or natural causes, and is the result of a build up of air between the lung and the chest wall.

The spokesperson declined to reveal how the 44-year-old had suffered the injury.

Hargitay was nominated for her role as Detective Olivia Benson in the NBC show at last Sunday's Golden Globes, but lost out to True Blood's Anna Pacquin.