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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...

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

Breathing, otherwise known as pulmonary ventilation, is the process of air movement into and out of the lungs. The main mechanisms propelling pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure (Patm), intra-pulmonary (Ppul ) or intra-alveolar pressure (Palv) within the alveoli, and intrapleural pressure (Pip) within the pleural cavity.
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs...

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.

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:

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance...

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Air-Inflation of Murine Lungs with Vascular Perfusion-Fixation

Air-Inflation of Murine Lungs with Vascular Perfusion-Fixation

Published on: February 2, 2021

Trapped Lung and Pneumothorax Ex Vacuo.

Mashal Binte Ali¹, Danish Jilani¹, Meher Binte Ali²

¹MountainView Regional Medical Center New Mexico USA.

Clinical Case Reports

|March 4, 2026

Summary

Trapped lung and pneumothorax ex vacuo occur when lungs fail to re-expand after pleural effusion drainage. Treatment depends on symptoms, ranging from observation to surgical decortication for symptomatic cases.

Keywords:

hydropneumothorax pleural effusion pneumothorax trapped lung

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Last Updated: May 6, 2026

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Normothermic Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex Situ Lung Perfusion: Evaluation of Lung Function and Metabolism

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Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System

Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System

Published on: April 6, 2022

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Thoracic Surgery

Background:

Trapped lung and pneumothorax ex vacuo are complications of large pleural effusion drainage.
Failure of lung re-expansion can lead to significant respiratory compromise.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline the pathophysiology and management of trapped lung and pneumothorax ex vacuo.
To differentiate these conditions from iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on pleural diseases and lung re-expansion.
Analysis of clinical presentations and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

Trapped lung and pneumothorax ex vacuo result from unresolved pleural inflammation or adhesions preventing lung re-expansion.
Asymptomatic cases may be managed conservatively with observation.
Symptomatic patients often require surgical decortication to release the trapped lung.

Conclusions:

Prompt recognition and appropriate management are crucial for trapped lung and pneumothorax ex vacuo.
Iatrogenic pneumothorax, caused by air entry into the pleural space, typically necessitates chest tube intervention.