What does a pleura do?

A thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.

What happens if a pleural membrane is damaged?

If the pleural layers are ruptured, for example by a spontaneous rupture of the membrane or by a stab wound, air is sucked into the intrapleural space creating a real air-containing space between the lungs and chest wall – a pneumothorax.

What is the function of the pleura found on the outside of the lungs?

The function of the pleura is to allow optimal expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing. The pleural fluid acts as a lubricant, allowing the parietal and visceral pleura to glide over each other friction free.

What is pleura and how does it help in breathing?

Pleural effusion, sometimes referred to as “water on the lungs,” is the build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs. The pleura are thin membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity and act to lubricate and facilitate breathing.

What does pleural mean?

Pleural: Pertaining to the pleura, the thin covering that protects the lungs. The term “pleural” is pronounced like “plural” (but does not have plural meanings).

What organ is in the pleural cavity?

lungs
The serous pleural cavity borders the mediastinum on both sides; it contains the lungs, which are completely covered by the sac-like pleura visceralis (pulmonaris). At the lung stem (main bronchus, vessels and nerves), the parietal pleura crosses into the pleura visceralis.

What are the major disorders of pleura?

Disorders of the pleura include:

• Pleurisy – inflammation of the pleura that causes sharp pain with breathing.
• Pleural effusion – excess fluid in the pleural space.
• Pneumothorax – buildup of air or gas in the pleural space.
• Hemothorax – buildup of blood in the pleural space.

How does the pleura prevent lung collapse?

This pressure drop decreases the intrapulmonary pressure as well, expanding the lungs and pulling more air into them. During expiration, this process reverses. The negative pressure of the pleural cavity acts as a suction to keep the lungs from collapsing.

Is pleural effusion curable?

A pleural effusion can be serious and potentially life-threatening, but it is treatable. If cancer grows in the pleural space, it causes a “malignant pleural effusion.” This condition is a sign that the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other areas of the body.

What produces pleural fluid?

Pleural fluid is continuously produced by the parietal circulation in the way of bulk flow, while it is also continuously reabsorbed by the lymphatic system via the stomata in the parietal pleura.

Can pleural thickening be cured?

Pleural thickening has no cure and is usually limited to supportive treatment. The effects of pleural thickening are irreversible in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Surgery may be an option in some cases to improve breathing difficulty and other respiratory symptoms.

What is the function of pleura membrane in the lungs?

The pleura is a vital part of the respiratory tract whose role it is to cushion the lungs and reduce any friction which may develop between the lungs, rib cage, and chest cavity. The pleura consists of a two-layered membrane that covers each lung.

What is the function of the pulmonary pleura?

Function of the Pleura. The two membranes that make up the pleura serve primarily to reduce friction when the lungs expand and contract during breathing. A small amount of fluid between these layers, roughly 4 to 5 cc of pleural fluid, helps to act as a cushion. The pleura is not the only set of membranes lining body cavities.

What causes pleural cancer?

Causes of Pleural Tumors. But other cancers can metastasize to the pleural space as well. Very little is known about the cause of LFPTs, particularly the majority of these tumors that are benign. There seems to be some connection between cancerous LFPTs and either asbestos exposure or smoking.

What is the prognosis for pleural effusion?

Sadly, the average life expectancy for lung cancer with a malignant pleural effusion is less than six months. The median survival time (the time at which 50 percent of people will have died) is four months, though some people survive longer.