Table of Contents
What is the normal amount of fluid in the pleural space?
In a healthy human, the pleural space contains a small amount of fluid (about 10 to 20 mL), with a low protein concentration (less than 1.5 g/dL). Pleural fluid is filtered at the parietal pleural level from systemic microvessels to the extrapleural interstitium and into the pleural space down a pressure gradient.
What is the difference between the visceral and parietal pleura?
A pleura is a serous membrane that folds back on itself to form a two-layered membranous pleural sac. The outer layer is called the parietal pleura and attaches to the chest wall. The inner layer is called the visceral pleura and covers the lungs, blood vessels, nerves, and bronchi.
What are the parts of the parietal and visceral pleurae?
Fig 1 – The parts of the parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura covers the outer surface of the lungs, and extends into the interlobar fissures. It is continuous with the parietal pleura at the hilum of each lung (this is where structures enter and leave the lung). The pleural cavity is a potential space between the parietal and visceral pleura.
What nerves are innervated by the parietal pleura?
The parietal pleura is sensitive to pressure, pain, and temperature. It produces a well localised pain, and is innervated by the phrenic and intercostal nerves. The blood supply is derived from the intercostal arteries.
What type of connective tissue is the parietal pleura?
Parietal Pleura The parietal pleura consists of a single layer of flat, cuboidal mesothelial cells, 1 to 4 μm thick, supported by loose connective tissue. 3 Blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels invest the connective tissue. The arterial supply is derived from the intercostal and internal mammary arteries.
Can lung cancer invade the parietal pleura?
Invasion of the parietal pleura or chest wall by a primary lung cancer is a relatively rare occurrence, reported in 5% to 8% of all cases of lung cancer.1 Invasion of the parietal pleura and the chest wall suggests a T3 tumor, and involvement of the vertebral bodies suggests a T4 tumor.