pleura

noun

pleu·​ra ˈplu̇r-ə 

plural pleurae ˈplu̇r-ˌē 

-ˌī

or pleuras

: the delicate serous membrane that lines each half of the thorax of mammals and is folded back over the surface of the lung of the same side

pleural

ˈplu̇r-əl 

adjective

Examples of pleura in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pleural fluid culture is necessary to assess if bacteria or fungi are spreading to the pleura, which is the tissue on the outside of the lungs and along the inside of the chest cavity. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

The rib cage shields the lungs, and the pleura is a protective membrane that covers and cushions them. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 16 Oct. 2024

Unexplained Shortness of Breath or a Dry Cough Unexplained shortness of breath or a persistent cough can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer that spreads into the lungs or the tissue lining the lungs, which is called the pleura. —Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi). —Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023

Stage 1b cancers often grow into one of the bronchi (main airways) or the visceral pleura (membranes surrounding the lungs). —Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2023

And their effects were nigh indistinguishable when Carbone tested them on cells taken from the lining around the pleura (the mesothelium, from which mesothelioma gets its name). —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011

The outer layer is called the parietal pleura and attaches to the chest wall, according to the National Library of Medicine. —Howard Cohen Miami Herald (tns), al, 26 July 2022

Once airborne, the fibres can find their way into the lungs of passers-by, accumulating in the surrounding cavity (the pleura). —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Greek, rib, side

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pleura

noun

pleu·​ra ˈplu̇r-ə 

plural pleurae ˈplu̇(ə)r-ˌē 

-ˌī

or pleuras

: the delicate membrane lining each half of the chest of mammals and folded back over the surface of the lung of the same side

pleural

ˈplu̇r-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

pleura

noun

pleu·​ra ˈplu̇r-ə 

plural pleurae ˈplu̇r-ē  or pleuras

: either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane each of which lines one lateral half of the thorax, has an inner visceral layer closely adherent to the corresponding lung, is reflected at the root of the lung to form a parietal layer that adheres to the walls of the thorax, the pericardium, the upper surface of the diaphragm, and adjacent parts, and contains a small amount of serous fluid that minimizes the friction of respiratory movements