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Pleura of the Lungs

Pleura of the Lungs

The lungs are nestled in a cavity, shielded by the pleura. The pleura, a form of serous membrane, wraps around each lung. This membrane arrangement consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lungIn contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer and contacts to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm. The hilum is the point of connection between the visceral and parietal layers. The space between the parietal and...

Pneumothorax-I

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.

Pleural Effusion I: Introduction

Pleural Effusion I: Introduction

Pleural effusion is an abnormal fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity, a narrow space between the lungs and the chest wall. It is not a disease per se but rather a symptom or indication of an underlying disease. In normal circumstances, this space contains a small amount of fluid (5 to 15 mL), a lubricant facilitating the non-frictional movement of the pleural surfaces.
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:

Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description

Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description

The pleura is a vital part of the respiratory system. It's a double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The two layers of the pleura are:

Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management

Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management

Pleural Effusion Overview
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:

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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

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Published on: January 23, 2026

Unexpandable lung from pleural disease.

John T Huggins¹, Fabien Maldonado², Amit Chopra³

¹Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Respirology (Carlton, Vic.)

|October 25, 2017

Summary

Unexpandable lung, a complication of pleural diseases, occurs when the lung cannot fully expand due to active inflammation or chronic fibrous membranes. Pleural manometry and imaging help diagnose this condition, known as lung entrapment or trapped lung.

Keywords:

pleural effusion pleural manometry trapped lung unexpandable lung

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Published on: March 12, 2020

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Thoracic Surgery
Critical Care Medicine

Background:

Unexpandable lung is a frequent complication in patients with malignant pleural effusions and inflammatory pleural diseases like empyema or fibrinous pleuritis.
It can stem from active pleural inflammation (lung entrapment) or a chronic fibrous peel (trapped lung) resulting from prior inflammation.
This condition limits lung expansion during pleural space drainage, potentially causing chest pain or pneumothorax.

Purpose of the Study:

To differentiate between active inflammatory lung entrapment and chronic trapped lung.
To highlight the diagnostic utility of pleural manometry and radiological imaging in assessing unexpandable lungs.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical presentations and diagnostic approaches for unexpandable lungs.
Utilizing pleural manometry to assess lung expansion dynamics during pleural fluid drainage.
Employing radiological imaging to identify visceral pleural thickening characteristic of trapped lung or lung entrapment.

Main Results:

Unexpandable lung is characterized by the inability of the lung to fully expand during pleural space drainage.
Pleural manometry can reveal abnormal lung expansion patterns.
Radiological imaging often demonstrates visceral pleural thickening in cases of trapped lung or lung entrapment.

Conclusions:

Unexpandable lung is a significant clinical challenge in pleural diseases.
Pleural manometry and imaging are crucial tools for diagnosing and differentiating causes of unexpandable lung.
Accurate diagnosis aids in appropriate management strategies for patients with pleural effusions and limited lung expansion.