Recording-2025-04-17T15:04:16.221Z

Pleura Anatomy

• The pleura surrounds the lungs and aids in inspiration.
• Composed of two main layers:
• Parietal pleura: Lines the inside of the rib cage.
• Visceral pleura: Covers the lungs themselves.
• Pleural cavity: The space between the parietal and visceral pleura, filled with pleural fluid.
• This fluid helps adhere the pleura together, making breathing more efficient.

Function During Inspiration

• When the thoracic cavity expands (rib cage moves up and out), the parietal pleura moves with it.
• The attached visceral pleura then causes the lungs to expand, increasing lung volume and facilitating air inflow.
• Inspiration relies on maintaining no air in the pleural cavity; air entry can lead to lung collapse (pneumothorax).
• Atelectasis: Collapsed lung due to pleural cavity air entry, impacting breathing capabilities.

Alveoli Structure and Function

• Alveoli are clusters of tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchial tree, essential for gas exchange.
• There are approximately 50 million alveoli in the human lungs, providing a large