Pleurakalvon

Pleurakalvon is a term used to denote the pleural membrane, the serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and envelops the lungs. It consists of two layers: the parietal pleura, which lines the chest wall, the diaphragm, and mediastinal structures; and the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs themselves. The two layers enclose a pleural cavity that contains a small amount of pleural fluid.

The primary function of the pleural membrane is to reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during breathing. The pleural fluid lubricates the space to allow smooth expansion and contraction of the lungs. The parietal pleura is richly innervated, primarily by intercostal and phrenic nerves, making it sensitive to pain, whereas the visceral pleura is innervated by autonomic fibers and is less sensitive to pain.

In clinical practice, the pleural membrane is involved in several conditions. Pleurisy (pleuritis) refers to inflammation of the pleura, often producing sharp chest pain that worsens with respiration. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity, which can impair breathing and may require drainage. Pneumothorax involves air entering the pleural space, potentially causing lung collapse. Diagnosis commonly uses imaging such as chest X-ray, ultrasound, or CT, and treatment targets the underlying cause along with supportive measures like thoracentesis or chest drainage when indicated.

Developmentally, the pleural membranes arise from mesoderm during embryonic development and are present in humans and many other mammals. While the basic structure is conserved, variations exist across species in thickness and innervation patterns.

Notes: Pleurakalvon is used in certain linguistic and regional medical contexts to refer to the pleural membrane. In most medical literature, the corresponding term is pleura or pleural membrane.