The pleura includes two thin layers of tissue that protect and
cushion the lungs. The inner layer (visceral pleura) wraps around the lungs and
is stuck so tightly to the lungs that it cannot be peeled off. The outer layer
(parietal pleura) lines the inside of the chest wall. The very thin space
between the layers is called the pleural cavity. A liquid, called pleural
fluid, lubricates the pleural cavity so that the two layers of pleural tissue
can slide against each other.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
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