Pleural Cavity

Pleura & Pleural Cavity
GROUP 9
81. Simran Ratnani
82. Muneeb Nore
83. Nischay Sable
84. Sayali Gaikwad
85. Sakshi Narkar
86. Labana Simran Kaur
87. Riddhi Ahuja
88. Saloni Darji
89. Yadnya Surve
90. Joshua Pereira
 Pleural cavity
• A lung covered in the serous sac
is called the pleural cavity.
• There is always slightly negative
pressure in this cavity.
 Pleura
• Covering of the lungs is called
pleura.
PLEURA
Pleural cavity is lined by single

layer of flat cells, “ Mesothelium”
and associated layer of supporting
connective tissue ; together they
form pleura.
LAYERS
There are two layers;
the outer pleura (parietal
pleura)attached to the
chest wall.
The inner pleura (visceral

pleura) covers the lungs
and adjoining structures,
via blood vessels, bronchi
and nerves.
1]Visceral pleura
•Except for the hilum and along
with the attachment of pulmonary
ligament, it covers all the surfaces
of the lung.
• It cannot be separated as it is

adherent to the lung surface.
2] Parietal pleura
•It is thicker than the visceral pleura
•It lines the wall of the pulmonary cavity
Subdivision of parietal pleura

1) Costal pleura
2) Diaphragmatic pleura
3) Mediastinal pleura
4) Cervical pleura
1) Costal pleura
• It lies the inner surface of the
thoracic wall
• It is loosely attached by a thin
layer of loose areolar tissue
called endothoracic fascia, which
is easily separable from the
thoracic wall in the case of living
beings.
2) Diaphragmatic pleura
• It lines the superior aspect of the
diaphragm.
• It covers the base of the lung
continuous with mediastinal
pleura medially and costal pleura
laterally.
3) Mediastinal pleura
• It forms the lateral boundary of
the corresponding surface of the
mediastinum.
• By its reflection it covers the
root of the lung and becomes
continuous with visceral pleura.
4)Cervical pleura
• It covers the apex of the lung.
• It is covered by the supra pleural
membrane.
• It is clinically important hence it
should not penetrate while
anesthetic needle.
 FUNCTIONS
o The pleural cavity, with its associated pleurae, aids optimal functioning of

the lungs during breathing.
o The pleural cavity also contains pleural fluid, which acts as a lubricant and
allows the pleurae to slide effortlessly against each other during respiratory
movements.
o The intrapleural space contains roughly 4 cubic centimeters (ccs) to 5 ccs of
pleural fluid which reduces friction whenever the lungs expand or contract.
o The pleurae also serve as a division between other organs in the body,
preventing them from interfering with lung function and vice versa.
PULMONARY LIGAMENT
• It is a pleural fold that surrounds the
root of the lung and extends down
as a fold called a pulmonary
ligament.
• The function of the pulmonary
ligament
• Pulmonary vein requires some space
when it expands during the
increased venous return at the time
of exercise. At that moment it
provides dead space.
• It allows the descent of the root of
the lung with the descent of the
diaphragm during inspiration.
RECESSES OF PLEURA
• The expended regions of the pleural cavity are called a pleural recess.
• It is essential for lung expansion during the deep inspiration and it is of two types
1]Costodiaphragmatic recess 2]Costomediastinal recess

1] Costodiaphragmatic recess
•It is located inferiorly between the costal and diaphragmatic pleurae,
•They are the most dependent part of the pleural cavity, hence fluid of pleural
effusion is first collected at these sites.
2]Costomediastinal recess
•It is located between the costal and mediastinal pleurae and lies between the
sternum and costal cartilages.
•It is the place where changes in tone take place from resonant to dull. This is
called the area of superficial cardiac dullness.
Nerve supply of the pleura
Parietal pleura
•It is developed from the somatopleuric layer of the lateral plate mesoderm that why it is supplied by
the somatic nerve.
•It is sensitive to pain
•The costal and peripheral part of diaphragmatic pleura = supplied by intercostal nerve
•The mediastinal and central part of diaphragmatic pleura = supplied by phrenic nerve
Visceral pleura
•It is developed from the splanchnopleuric layer of lateral plate mesoderm that’s why it is supplied by
autonomic nerve.
•Arises from T2- T5
•It is insensitive to pain.
Blood supply and lymphatic drainage of pleura
The pleura is supplied by intercostals, internal thoracic and

musculophrenic arteries. The veins drain into the azygous and
internal thoracic veins. The lymphatics drain into the intercostals,
internal mammary, posterior mediastinal and diaphragmatic nodes.
APPLIED ANATOMY
1]Pleurisy
This is the inflammation of the pleura. Acute pleuritis is marked by sharp,
stabbing pain, especially on exertion.
2]Pneumothorax
This is a condition with the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Entry of air
into the pleural cavity, resulting from a penetrating wound of the parietal
pleura or rupture of a lung results in partial collapse of the lung.
3]Hemothorax
Presence of blood in the pleural cavity. Hemothorax results more
often from injury to a major intercostal vessel than laceration of lung
4]Hydrothorax
This is a condition with accumulation of significant amount of fluid
in the pleural cavity.
THANK YOU!

Pleural Cavity

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Pleura & Pleural Cavity

Pleural cavity is lined by single

The inner pleura (visceral

• It cannot be separated as it is

Subdivision of parietal pleura

o The pleural cavity, with its associated pleurae, aids optimal functioning of

1]Costodiaphragmatic recess 2]Costomediastinal recess

The pleura is supplied by intercostals, internal thoracic and

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