Pleura

pleura /pleu·ra/ (ploor´ah) pl. pleu´rae   [Gr.] the serous membrane investing the lungs (visceral p.) and lining the walls of the thoracic cavity (parietal p.); the two layers enclose a potential space, the pleural cavity. The two pleurae, right and left, are entirely distinct from each other.pleu´ral

Pleura; for purpose of illustration, the pleural cavity is shown as an actual space.

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pleu·ra (plr)

n. pl. pleu·rae (plr)

The thin serous membrane that envelops each lung and folds back to make a lining for the chest cavity.

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pleural adj.

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Pleura

Two thin layers lining the lungs on the outside.

Mentioned in: Thoracentesis, Thymoma

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pleura (plerˑ·),

n one of the two thin, serous membranes that comprise a singular layer of flat mesothelial cells that encloses and lines the lungs. The outer layer, the parietal pleura encases the diaphragm and lines the wall of the chest. The inner layer, the visceral pleura, encases the lungs. Minute amounts of fluid are present between the two layers and serve as a lubricant while the lungs contract and expand during respiration.

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pleura (plr´),

n a delicate serous membrane enclosing the lung, composed of a single layer of flattened mesothelial cells resting on a delicate membrane of connective tissue.

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pleura

pl. pleurae [Gr.] the serous membrane investing the lungs (pulmonary pleura) and lining the walls of the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura), the two layers enclosing a potential space, the pleural cavity.