Pleura Flashcards
What does the pleura consist of?
Visceral pleura
Parietal pleura
What does the parietal pleura line?
Inner wall of the chest cavity (ribs, sternum and mediastinum)
What does the visceral pleura line?
Adherent to the lung tissue
What separates the visceral and parietal pleural?
Pleural cavity filled with a thin film of pleural fluid.
How does the visceral pleura fit to the lungs?
Fits tightly following all surfaces including lining inside fissures
Which layer of the pleura is sensitive to pain?
Parietal pleura
Which nerves supply pain sensation to the pleura?
Intercostal nerves and the phrenic nerve
How can the parietal pleura be sub divided?
Depending on its location within the thoracic cavity
- Mediastinal pleura
- Diaphragmatic pleura (superior surface of diaphragm)
- Costal pleura (inner surfaces of ribs and sternum)
- Apical pleura (apex of the lungs)
What is a pleural reflection?
The point where the parietal pleura lining one surface of the chest wall changes direction to line another surface.
**It reflects back on itself
Give 2 examples of pleural reflection
Costodiaphragmatic (costophrenic) reflection
Costomediastinal reflection
What is a pleural recess?
Where the parietal pleura is more widely separated from the visceral pleura during expiration forming a pleural recess (space)
What are 2 examples of pleural recesses?
Costodiaphragmatic (costophrenic) recess or angle
Costomediastinal recess
What is the clinical relevance of pleural recesses?
Needle aspiration of excessing accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
(pleural effusion)
What is the parietal pleura sensitive to?
Pain
Pressure
Temperature
Touch
What is the innervation of the visceral pleura?
AUTONOMIC INNERVATION via the pulmonary plexus .
Vagus = sympathetic and parasympathetic supply
