Session 1.1i - TeachMeAnatomy - Thoracic Pleurae Flashcards
https://teachmeanatomy.info/thorax/organs/pleurae/
What do the pleurae refer to?
The SEROUS MEMBRANES that line the lungs and thoracic cavity.
What do the pleural line?
The lungs and thoracic cavity.
What is the function of the pleurae?
They permit efficient and effortless respiration.
How many pleurae do we have in the thoracic cage>?
There are two pleurae in the body - one covering each lung.
What is the structure of the pleurae?
They consist of a SEROUS MEMBRANE
What type of cells is the serous membrane?
A layer of simple squamous cells.
What is the structure of the serous membrane?
A layer of simple squamous cells, supported by connective tissue.
What is the simple squamous epithelial layer in the pleura known as?
The mesothelium
What is the mesothelium?
The simple squamous epithelial layer.
How can the pleura be divided?
Into two parts:
- VISCERAL PLEURA
- PARIETAL PLEURA
What does the visceral pleura cover?
The outer surface of the lungs
Which pleura covers the lungs?
The VISCERAL PLEURA
What is the parietal pleura?
It covers the internal surface of the thoracic cavity.
Which pleura covers the internal surface of the thoracic cavity?
PARIETAL PLEURA
Where are the two pleura continuous with each other?
At the HILUM of each lung.
What is between the visceral and parietal pleura?
A POTENTIAL SPACE, known as the pleural cavity.
Which pleura is thicker?
The parietal pleura is thicker than the visceral pleura
How can the parietal pleura be subdivided?
According to the part of the body that it is contact with:
- MEDIASTINAL PLEURA
- CERVICAL PLEURA
- COSTAL PLEURA
- DIAPHRAGMATIC PLEURA
What is the mediastinal pleura?
Covers the lateral aspect of the mediastinum (the central component of the thoracic cavity, containing a number of organ)
Which aspect of the mediastinum does the mediastinal pleura cover?
The lateral aspect
What is the mediastinum?
The central component of the thoracic cavity, containing a number of organ.
What is the cervical pleura?
Lines the extension of the pleural cavity into the neck.
What is the costal pleura?
Covers the inner aspect of the ribs, costal cartilages, and intercostal muscles.
What is the diaphragmatic pleura?
Covers the thoracic (superior) surface of the diaphragm.
What is the superior surface of the diaphragm known as?
The thoracic surface
Where does the visceral pleura extend into?
The interlobar fissures
Where do structures enter and leave the lung?
At the HILUM of each lung
What happens at the hilum of each lung?
This is where structures enter and leave the lung.
What does the pleural cavity contain?
A small volume of serous fluid
What is the function of the pleural cavity?
It contains a small volume of serous fluid, which as two major functions:
- lubrication
- surface tension
Describe the lubrication of the serous fluid.
The serous fluid in the pleural cavity lubricates the surfaces of the pleurae, allowing them to slide over each other.
Describe what happens to the surface tension produced by the serous fluid.
The serous fluid also produces a surface tension, pulling the parietal and visceral pleura together.
What is the function of the surface tension produced by the serous fluid?
This ensures that when the thorax expands, the lung also expands, filling with air.
What happens if air enters the pleural cavity?
The surface tension is lost (so the lung collapses?) This is known as a pneumothorax.
What is the pathophysiology behind a pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax = air in the pleural cavity.
This means the surface tension is lost.