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 or pleurae

A delicate membrane that encloses the lungs. The pleura is divided into two areas separated by fluid-the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the chest wall and covers the diaphragm.

Mentioned in: Pleural Effusion, Thoracentesis, Thymoma

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pleura

[ploo͡r′ə] pl. pleurae

Etymology: Gk, rib

a delicate serous membrane enclosing the lung, composed of a single layer of flattened mesothelial cells resting on a delicate membrane of connective tissue. Beneath the membrane is a stroma of collagenous tissue containing yellow elastic fibers. The pleura divides into the visceral pleura, which covers the lung, dipping into the fissures between the lobes, and the parietal pleura, which lines the chest wall, covers the diaphragm, and reflects over the structures in the mediastinum. The parietal and visceral pleurae are separated from each other by a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant as the lungs expand and contract during respiration. See also pleural cavity, pleural space. pleural, adj.

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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.