Pleura

The pleura are the two thin membranes known as the visceral and parietal pleurae that surround the lungs. The pleural cavity is the potential space between these two membranes that is created when the serous pleura covers the lung and folds back upon itself, leaving a small pouch or air pocket.

Some of the diseases of the pleura we treat are the development of air in that space called pneumothorax, abnormal accumulation of fluid in that space called pleural effusion, an infection of the pleural space called empyema, and a malignancy of the pleura called mesothelioma.