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The pleural cavity, or pleural space (or sometimes intrapleural space), is the potential space between the pleurae of the pleural sac that surrounds each lung. A small amount of serous pleural fluid is maintained in the pleural cavity to enable lubrication between the membranes , and also to create a pressure gradient .
This is called the pleural cavity (also pleural space). [2] It contains a tiny amount of serous fluid (pleural fluid) secreted by the pleurae, at an average pressure that is below the atmospheric pressure under healthy conditions. The two lungs, each bounded by a two-layered pleural sac, almost fill the thoracic cavity.
Image illustrating transpulmonary, intrapleural and intra-alveolar pressure. In physiology, intrapleural pressure refers to the pressure within the pleural cavity.Normally, the pressure within the pleural cavity is slightly less than the atmospheric pressure, which is known as negative pressure. [1]
A pleural effusion infiltrates the space between these layers. Because the pleural effusion has a density similar to water, it can be seen on radiographs. Since the effusion has greater density than the rest of the lung, it gravitates towards the lower portions of the pleural cavity. The pleural effusion behaves according to basic fluid ...
A chest tube is in place (small black mark on the right side of the image), the air-filled pleural cavity (black) and ribs (white) can be seen. The heart can be seen in the center. The thoracic cavity is the space inside the chest that contains the lungs, heart, and numerous major blood vessels.
Anatomy photo:19:03-0101 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Pleural Cavities and Lungs: The Costomediastinal Recess" Atlas image: lung_pleura at the University of Michigan Health System - "X-ray, chest, posteroanterior view" Diagram at port.ac.uk
Pleural effusions collect in the costodiaphragmatic recess when in standing position, [2] and present on plain X-rays as "blunting" of the costophrenic angle.. A thoracocentesis (pleural tap) is often performed here while a patient is in full expiration because of less risk of puncturing the lungs and thereby causing pneumothorax.
Hydropneumothorax is defined as the presence of both air and fluid within the pleural space. [1] An upright chest x-ray will show air fluid levels. The horizontal fluid level is usually well defined and extends across the whole length of one of the hemithorax.