The Pleura
Lines of pleural reflection
The parietal pleura lines the body
wall and mediastinum and the visceral pleura covers the lung. A
thin film of pleural fluid between these two layers keeps them together. When the pleural cavity is
expanded by the movements of the body wall, the parietal layer of pleura pulls the visceral layer
out with it. At full expiration the diaphragm is raised so that part of the diaphragmatic pleura is
apposed to the parietal pleura of the body wall, producing the
costodiaphragmatic reflexion. On
inspiration the lung is inflated and separates the apposed parietal pleural.
Return to MENU