pleura
Americannoun
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pleurae
plural
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Anatomy, Zoology. a delicate serous membrane investing each lung in mammals and folded back as a lining of the corresponding side of the thorax.
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plural of pleuron.
noun
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the thin transparent serous membrane enveloping the lungs and lining the walls of the thoracic cavity
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the plural of pleuron
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pleurae
plural
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of pleura
1655–65; < New Latin < Greek pleurá (singular) side, rib
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
To check for them, doctors look at the pleura, the membrane that envelops each lung.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 11, 2020
Under normal conditions, viewers see a reflection of the pleura as a series of equidistant horizontal lines, called A lines, throughout those organs.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 11, 2020
Therefore, as you breathe, the pleural fluid prevents the two layers of the pleura from rubbing against each other and causing damage due to friction.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
In contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer that connects to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
In short, an abscess in the pericardium must be treated like an abscess in the pleura.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various
The pleurae also create a division between major organs that prevents interference due to the movement of the organs, while preventing the spread of infection.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
Why are the pleurae not damaged during normal breathing?
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The pleurae perform two major functions: They produce pleural fluid and create cavities that separate the major organs.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The lungs are enclosed by the pleurae, which are attached to the mediastinum.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
After the pericardium and pleurae have been separated off the remainder of the coelom becomes the peritoneum.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various
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