Pleurae

Question 1

what does the pleurae refer to?

Answer 1

the serous membranes that line the lungs and thoracic cavity

Question 2

what do the pleurae permit?

Answer 2

efficient and effortless respiration

Question 3

how many pleurae are there in the body? what do they cover?

Answer 3

There are two pleurae in the body – one covering each lung

Question 4

what do pleurae consist of?

Answer 4

a serous membrane

Question 5

what is a serous membrane?

Answer 5

a layer of mesothelial cells, supported by connective tissue

Question 6

what are the parts each pleura can be divided into?

Answer 6

two parts:
Visceral pleura
Parietal pleura

Question 7

what does the visceral pleura cover?

Answer 7

the lungs

Question 8

what does the parietal pleura cover?

Answer 8

the internal surface of the thoracic cavity

Question 9

how are the visceral and parietal pleura linked?

Answer 9

These two parts are continuous with each other at the hilum of each lung

Question 10

what is the pleural cavity?

Answer 10

the potential space between the viscera and parietal pleura

Question 11

what does the parietal pleura cover?

Answer 11

the internal surface of the thoracic cavity

Question 12

how is the parietal pleura like compared to the visceral?

Answer 12

the parietal is thicker than the visceral pleura, and can be subdivided according to the part of the body that it is contact with

Question 13

what are the subdivisions of the parietal pleura?

Answer 13

Mediastinal pleura
Cervical pleura
Costal pleura
Diaphragmatic pleura

Question 14

what does the mediastinal pleura cover?

Answer 14

Covers the lateral aspect of the mediastinum (the central component of the thoracic cavity, containing a number of organ)

Question 15

what does the cervical pleura cover?

Answer 15

Lines the extension of the pleural cavity into the neck

Question 16

what does the costal pleura cover?

Answer 16

Covers the inner aspect of the ribs, costal cartilages, and intercostal muscles

Question 17

what does the diaphragmatic pleura cover?

Answer 17

Covers the thoracic (superior) surface of the diaphragm

Question 18

what does the visceral pleura cover? where does it extend to?

Answer 18

the outer surface of the lungs, and extends into the interlobar fissures

Question 19

what is the visceral pleura continous with?

Answer 19

continuous with the parietal pleura at the hilum of each lung

Question 20

what is the hilum of each lung?

Answer 20

where structures enter and leave the lung

Question 21

what is the pleural cavity?

Answer 21

The pleural cavity is a potential space between the parietal and visceral pleura

Question 22

what does the pleural cavity contain?

Answer 22

contains a small volume of serous fluid, which has two major functions

Question 23

what is the main function of serous fluid within the pleural cavity?

Answer 23

It lubricates the surfaces of the pleurae, allowing them to slide over each other

Question 24

what else does the serous fluid do?

Answer 24

The serous fluid also produces a surface tension, pulling the parietal and visceral pleura together

Question 25

why does there need to be a surface tension pulling the parietal and visceral pleura together?

Answer 25

This ensures that when the thorax expands, the lung also expands, filling with air

Question 26

what happens if air enters the pleural cavity? what is it known as?

Answer 26

the surface tension is lost – a condition known as pneumothorax

Question 27

what happens to the pleural cavity anteriorly and posteroinferiorly?

Answer 27

Anteriorly and posteroinferiorly, the pleural cavity is not completely filled by the lungs. This gives rise to recesses

Question 28

what are recesses?

Answer 28

where the opposing surfaces of the parietal pleura touch

Question 29

how many recesses are present in each pleural cavity and what are they?

Answer 29

There are two recesses present in each pleural cavity:
Costodiaphragmatic
Costomediastinal

Question 30

where is the Costodiaphragmatic recess located?

Answer 30

located between the costal pleurae and the diaphragmatic pleura

Question 31

where is the Costomediastinal recess located?

Answer 31

between the costal pleurae and the mediastinal pleurae, behind the sternum

Question 32

why are the recesses of clinical importance?

Answer 32

they provide a location where fluid can collect (such as in a pleural effusion)