The Pleurae

• The Pleurae:

  • A thin double layered serous membrane
  • Parietal pleura which lines the thoracic wall and the diaphragm
  • Visceral pleura which lines the surface of the lungs and fissures
  • This double layer creates a potential space (the pleural cavity)

  
• The Pleural Cavity:

  • Thin layer of pleural fluid in the pleural cavity
  • Separation of pleurae strongly resisted by surface tension of pleural fluid (locked together)
  • Lubricates - allows pleurae to glide over each other
  • Parietal pleura is innervated by intercostal and phrenic nerves

  
• Parietal pleura:

  • lines the thoracic wall and the diaphragm

  A) parietal pleura

  
• Visceral pleura:

  • lines the surface of the lungs and fissures

  A) visceral pleura