Visceral pleura

Visceral pleura is a thin, delicate membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and dips into the fissures between the lobes. It is one of the two layers that make up the pleura, the other being the parietal pleura. The visceral pleura is in direct contact with the lungs, while the parietal pleura lines the chest wall and diaphragm. The space between these two layers is known as the pleural cavity, which contains a small amount of pleural fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces.

Structure

The visceral pleura is a serous membrane composed of mesothelial cells. It is continuous with the parietal pleura at the hilum of the lungs. The visceral pleura receives its blood supply from the bronchial arteries and the pulmonary arteries, and its sensory innervation from the pulmonary plexus.

Function

The primary function of the visceral pleura, along with the parietal pleura, is to allow the lungs to move within the chest cavity during respiration. The pleural fluid within the pleural cavity reduces friction between the two pleural layers, allowing them to slide against each other during breathing.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the pleura, such as pleurisy, pleural effusion, and mesothelioma, can affect the visceral pleura. Symptoms of these conditions can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and a dry cough. Diagnosis is typically made through imaging studies such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, and may be confirmed with a biopsy.

See also

• Pleura
• Pleural cavity
• Pleural fluid
• Pleural disease