Pleura Flashcards
What is a pleura?
The pleura is a double-layered serous membrane that covers each lung and lines the thoracic cage.
What are the two parts of the pleura?
The outer layer (parietal pleura) attaches to the chest wall.
The inner layer (visceral pleura) covers the lungs, neurovascular structures of the mediastinum and the bronchi.
What is the space inbetween the two pleura called?
The space between the parietal and visceral pleurae is called the pleural cavity which contains a small amount of serous fluid
Is there any connection between the two pleuras?
No
What is it called when air enters the plerual space?
A pneumothorax (commonly referred to a collapsed lung) occurs when air or gas is present within the pleural space.
What are the divisions of the parietal plerua?
- Cervical part
- Mediastinal part - covers the mediastinum and its structures;
- Costal part - covers the inner surface of the thoracic cage including the ribs;
- Diaphragmatic part - covers the diaphragm
What are the two pleural recesses?
The costomediastinal recess is located between the mediastinal and costal pleura, just posterior to the sternum.
The costodiaphragmatic recess is situated between the diaphragmatic and costal pleura.
What layer of the pleura lines the fissures of the lungs?
Visceral
What layer of the pleura is sensitive to pain?
Parietal pleura
What is the innervation and blood supply of the parietal pleura?
I - phrenic and intercostal nerves
BS - intercostal arteries
What is the innervation and blood supply of the visceral pleura?
I - autonomic innervation from the pulmonary plexus (a network of nerves derived from the sympathetic trunk and vagus nerve).
BS - bronchial arteries (branches of the descending aorta)
Which nerve supply pain sensation to pleura?
Phrenic nerve
