Pleura

About the Pleura

The pleura is a thin serous membrane with two layers. The visceral pleura covers the surface of each lung and dips into the fissures between its lobes, while the parietal pleura lines the inner chest wall, the upper surface of the diaphragm, and the mediastinum. Between them is the pleural space, which contains a thin film of fluid that lubricates the surfaces and creates surface tension that holds the lung against the chest wall, so that the lungs expand as the chest expands. The parietal pleura is sensitive to pain, so inflammation, called pleurisy, causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing. Air entering the pleural space causes a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, and excess fluid causes a pleural effusion, which can result from heart failure, infection, or cancer. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleura, is strongly associated with asbestos exposure. Pleural procedures include thoracentesis to drain fluid and chest tube insertion.