Pleuran

Pleuran is a term that appears in some medical lexicons as a descriptor for the pleural membranes. In standard English medical usage, the terms pleura and pleural are used. The form pleuran is thus rare and may be encountered in historical texts or in non-English contexts.

Anatomy and function: The pleura comprises two layers: the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the thoracic cavity. The two layers are separated by a small pleural cavity that contains a lubricating pleural fluid, enabling smooth movement of the lungs during respiration.

Clinical relevance: Diseases affecting the pleura include pleuritis (pleurisy), pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the pleural space), pneumothorax (air in the pleural space), and hemothorax (blood in the pleural space). Symptoms commonly include sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. Diagnosis relies on imaging such as chest X-ray, ultrasound, or CT, and pleural fluid analysis via thoracentesis in suspected effusions. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve anti-inflammatory medications, drainage of fluid, or chest tube placement for pneumothorax.

Etymology and usage: The term pleuran is etymologically linked to pleura, originating from Latin pleura and Greek pleuron, meaning rib or side. In contemporary practice, pleura and pleural are the preferred terms, while pleuran may appear in older or non-English texts.

See also: pleura, pleural, pleural effusion, pleuritis, pneumothorax.