Question

Pleural

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

Pleural refers to the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. The pleura is a thin membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and lines the inside of the chest wall. It consists of two layers: the visceral pleura which is in direct contact with the lungs, and the parietal pleura which lines the chest wall and diaphragm.

The pleural space is the narrow gap between the two layers of the pleura. It is filled with a small amount of fluid that allows the two layers to slide smoothly against each other during breathing, reducing friction. The pleura and pleural fluid play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanics of breathing.

Diseases or conditions that affect the pleura are referred to as pleural diseases. These can include pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura), pleural effusion (excess fluid in the pleural space), pneumothorax (collapsed lung), and pleural thickening (abnormal thickening of the pleura). Pleural diseases can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and difficulty breathing.