Pleural membranes

PLEURAL MEMBRANES
  • The lungs are surrounded by a serous membrane called as pleural membrane. The superficial layer lining the thoracic cavity is the parietal pleura and the layer closely adhering to the lungs is the visceral pleura.
  • The narrow parietal space between these two layers contains a small amount of pleural fluid that allows the two layers to slide over one another during breathing.
  • The lungs have an almost friction-free movement within the thorax because of the pleura. Inflammation of the pleural membrane is called pleurisy.
  • After the first breath, the lungs become less dense. If the lung floats in water, it indicates that the animal took at least one breath, and therefore was born alive. This fact allows one to determine whether a newborn animal is stillborn or not.
  • The pressure inside the intrapleural space is negative due to continuous removal of fluid that is secreted . This negative pressure is vital for the expansion of the lungs.
  • If an injury to the chest wall punctures the pleural membrane, it can allow air to enter the intrapleural space, resulting in a condition called as "pneumothorax".
Last modified: Saturday, 4 June 2011, 9:14 AM