Pleural anatomy

Abstract

The pleura is made of two serosal membranes, one covering the lung (the visceral pleura) and one covering the inner chest wall (the parietal pleura). The two layers are continuous with one another around and below the root of the lungs, conforming a virtual space, known as the pleural cavity. The parietal pleura is divided into costal pleura (covering the inner surfaces of the ribs and intercostal muscles), diaphragmatic pleura (covering the convex surface of the diaphragm), and the mediastinal pleura (that is attached to the other thoracic organs). The junction between the different segments of the parietal pleura forms several recesses or sinuses. The visceral pleura is intimately attached to the surface of the lungs; it also presents recesses called fissures that divide the lungs into different lobes.