Pleurae Flashcards
what does the pleurae refer to?
the serous membranes that line the lungs and thoracic cavity
what do the pleurae permit?
efficient and effortless respiration
how many pleurae are there in the body? what do they cover?
There are two pleurae in the body – one covering each lung
what do pleurae consist of?
a serous membrane
what is a serous membrane?
a layer of mesothelial cells, supported by connective tissue
what are the parts each pleura can be divided into?
two parts:
Visceral pleura
Parietal pleura
what does the visceral pleura cover?
the lungs
what does the parietal pleura cover?
the internal surface of the thoracic cavity
how are the visceral and parietal pleura linked?
These two parts are continuous with each other at the hilum of each lung
what is the pleural cavity?
the potential space between the viscera and parietal pleura
what does the parietal pleura cover?
the internal surface of the thoracic cavity
how is the parietal pleura like compared to the visceral?
the parietal is thicker than the visceral pleura, and can be subdivided according to the part of the body that it is contact with
what are the subdivisions of the parietal pleura?
Mediastinal pleura
Cervical pleura
Costal pleura
Diaphragmatic pleura
what does the mediastinal pleura cover?
Covers the lateral aspect of the mediastinum (the central component of the thoracic cavity, containing a number of organ)
what does the cervical pleura cover?
Lines the extension of the pleural cavity into the neck
what does the costal pleura cover?
Covers the inner aspect of the ribs, costal cartilages, and intercostal muscles
what does the diaphragmatic pleura cover?
Covers the thoracic (superior) surface of the diaphragm
what does the visceral pleura cover? where does it extend to?
the outer surface of the lungs, and extends into the interlobar fissures
what is the visceral pleura continous with?
continuous with the parietal pleura at the hilum of each lung
what is the hilum of each lung?
where structures enter and leave the lung
what is the pleural cavity?
The pleural cavity is a potential space between the parietal and visceral pleura
what does the pleural cavity contain?
contains a small volume of serous fluid, which has two major functions
what is the main function of serous fluid within the pleural cavity?
It lubricates the surfaces of the pleurae, allowing them to slide over each other
what else does the serous fluid do?
The serous fluid also produces a surface tension, pulling the parietal and visceral pleura together
