Pleural cavity
Cavum pleurae
Definition
The pleural cavity is a virtual space located between the pulmonary pleura, which covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the thoracic wall, the diaphragm, and the mediastinum.
Under normal conditions, this space contains a very small amount of serous fluid that allows the lungs to glide smoothly without friction during respiratory movements. It is maintained under negative pressure, which is essential for lung expansion.
Anatomically, the pleural cavity is formed by two continuous serous membranes:
the pulmonary pleura, which is closely adherent to the lung tissue;
the parietal pleura, which is subdivided into costal, diaphragmatic, and mediastinal pleura according to the region it lines.
References
König HE, Liebich HG. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas. 7th ed. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2020.
Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2017.
Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV). 6th ed. Hannover: Editorial Committee, World Association of Veterinary Anatomists; 2017.
