Pleura Function Structure Respiratory System – The lungs are the main organs for breathing and are part of the respiratory system. The respiratory system also includes the nose, mouth, windpipe (trachea) and airways to each lung.

These consist of large airways (bronchi) and smaller airways (bronchioles). The lungs look like two large, spongy cones. Each lung is made up of sections called lobes – the left lung has two lobes and the right lung has three.

The lungs rest on the diaphragm, which is a wide, thin muscle that helps with breathing.

The role of pleura

The chest wall and lungs are covered by two layers of a thin sheet of tissue called the pleura. – Pleura Function Structure Respiratory System

• The inner layer (visceral pleura) – lines the lungs.
• The outer layer (parietal pleura) – lines the chest wall and the diaphragm.

Between the two layers is the pleural cavity (also called the pleural space), which normally contains a small amount of fluid. This fluid allows the two layers of pleura to slide over each other so the lungs move smoothly against the chest wall when you breathe.

When mesothelioma develops in the pleura, the delicate layers of the pleura thicken and may press on the lung, preventing it from expanding when breathing in (inhalation). When excess fluid collects between the two layers, this is known as a pleural effusion. – Pleura Function Structure Respiratory System

Read more about: What is mesothelioma ? What are the different types ? How common is pleural mesothelioma ? What causes pleural mesothelioma? What are the symptoms? in the The Pleural Mesothelioma Booklet.

The cancer disease in the pleura is Pleural Mesothelioma. The Pleural Mesothelioma Booklet arranged by Cancer Council Australia 2015. ISBN 978 1 925136 54 8 – The booklet has been prepared to help you understand how pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated.