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Pleural Cavity and Membranes - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:38, 13 August 2008
, 12:38, 13 August 2008no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
The Pleural Cavity is the area within the thorax which encases the lungs and the heart. The walls are made up of serous membranes, known as '''Pleurae'''.
The surface of the inner wall of all of the body cavities is lined by a serous membrane which consists of a single layer of flat epithelium with a thin underlying propria (connective tissue). Within the thoracic cavity, this is known as the ''Pleura''.
The Visceral Pleura which coats the outer surface of the lung is derived from the ''Splanchnic Mesoderm'''. The Parietal Pleura lining the thoracic cavity is deried from '''Somatic Mesoderm'''
The Pleural Cavity is potential space between the two areas of pleural membrane.
==Pleural Membranes==
==Pleural Membranes==
===Structure of the Pleural Membranes===
===Structure of the Pleural Membranes===
[[Image:PleuralMembranesSchematic.jpg|right|thumb|350px|'''Schematic Diagram of the Pleural Membranes''' (Cross section through thoracic cavity at the level of the heart)]]
[[Image:PleuralMembranesSchematic.jpg|right|thumb|350px|'''Schematic Diagram of the Pleural Membranes''' (Cross section through thoracic cavity at the level of the heart)]]