Pleural cavity
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217474271
2008-06-06T05:05:58Z
Arcadian
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split out [[Pleural disease]]
{{Redirect|Pleura|other uses|pleuron}}{{Copyedit|date=February 2008}}
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = cavitas pleuralis |
GraySubject = 238 |
GrayPage = 1088 |
Image = Gray965.png |
Caption = Front view of [[thorax]], showing the relations of the [[pleuræ]] and [[lungs]] to the chest wall. Pleura in blue; lungs in purple. |
Image2 = Gray968.png |
Caption2 = A transverse section of the [[thorax]], showing the contents of the middle and the posterior [[mediastinum]]. The pleural and [[pericardial cavity|pericardial cavities]] are exaggerated since normally there is no space between parietal and visceral pleura and between [[pericardium]] and [[heart]]. |
System = |
Precursor = [[intraembryonic coelom]] |
MeshName = Pleural+Cavity |
MeshNumber = A01.911.800.650 |
DorlandsPre = c_16 |
DorlandsSuf = 12220581 |
}}
In [[human anatomy]], the '''pleural cavity''' is a [[body cavity]] containing the [[lungs]]; the lungs are surrounded by two [[serous membrane]]s, the '''pleurae'''. The outer pleura ([[parietal pleura]]) covers and is attached to the [[thoracic wall|chest wall]]. The inner pleura ([[visceral pleura]]) covers and is attached to the lung and other structures, i.e. [[blood vessel]]s, [[bronchus|bronchi]] and [[nerve]]s. Between the two is a thin space known as the '''pleural space''', which normally contains a small amount of '''pleural fluid'''.
The parietal pleura is highly sensitive to pain; the visceral pleura is not, because it receives no nerves of general sensation.<ref>p132 Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 5th edition. Moore and Dalley.</ref>
==Functions==
Pleural fluid serves several functions. It lubricates the pleural surfaces and allows the pleural layers to slide against each other easily during ventilation. Pleural fluid also provides the surface tension that keeps the lung surface in close apposition with the chest wall. This allows optimal inflation of [[alveoli]] during respiration. It also directly transmits pressures from the chest wall to the visceral pleural surface (and hence, the lung). Therefore, movements of the chest wall during breathing are coupled closely to movements of the lungs.
==Blood supply==
The visceral pleura has a dual [[blood|blood supply]] from the [[bronchial artery|bronchial]] and [[pulmonary artery|pulmonary]] [[artery|arteries]].
==Fluid==
It is filled with pleural fluid, a [[serous fluid]] produced by the pleura. A normal 70 kg human has approximately 12-15 mL of pleural fluid.
In normal pleurae, most fluid is produced by the parietal circulation ([[intercostal arteries]]) via [[bulk flow]] and reabsorbed by the [[lymphatic system]]. Thus, pleural fluid is continuously produced and reabsorbed. The rate of reabsorption may increase up to 40x before significant amounts of fluid accumulate within the pleural space.
In humans, there is no anatomical connection between the left and right pleural cavities, so in cases of pneumothorax (see below), the other hemithorax will still be able to function normally.
==See also==
*[[Pleural disease]]
*[[Vertebrate trachea]]
*[[Capillaries]]
*[[Larynx]]
*[[Pharynx]]
*[[Epiglottis]]
*[[Rings of cartilage]]
*[[Bronchus]]
*[[Bronchioles]]
*[[Thoracic cavity]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
</gallery>
==References==
<references />
==External links==
* [http://biology.kenyon.edu/heithausp/cat-tutorial/organs/thorcav2.htm Photo of dissection] at kenyon.edu
{{Lung}}
[[Category:Respiratory system]]
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