What is the space between the pleural membranes called?

What is the space between the pleural membranes called?

pleural cavity
The pleurae are serous membranes which fold back onto themselves to form a two-layered membranous structure. The thin space between the two pleural layers is known as the pleural cavity and normally contains a small amount of pleural fluid.

What is the Costomediastinal recess?

Anatomical terminology. The costomediastinal recess is a potential space at the border of the mediastinal pleura and the costal pleura. It assists lung expansion during deep inspiration, although its role is not as significant as the costodiaphragmatic recess, which has a greater volume.

What is lymphatic fluid in the pleural space?

What is chylothorax? Chylothorax is a rare condition in which lymphatic fluid leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall. When this fluid builds up in the lungs, it can cause a severe cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Chylothorax is a lymphatic flow disorder.

What are pleural recesses?

The pleural recesses are potential spaces within the thoracic cavity where, particularly in expiration, the visceral and parietal pleura are relatively distant. Such is the negative pressure of the serous fluid lining the cavity with the lung relatively contracted, that parietal pleura may be drawn inwards.

Why is the pleural cavity called a potential space?

The lung almost entirely fills the space in the thorax. Therefore, the pleural cavity is described as a potential space, meaning that under normal circumstances, there is no actual space present, and the visceral and parietal pleura are in contact with each other.

How does air enter the pleural space?

Air can enter the intrapleural space through a communication from the chest wall (ie, trauma) or through the lung parenchyma across the visceral pleura. See the image below. Radiograph of a patient with a complete right-sided pneumothorax due to a stab wound.

Where is the costomediastinal recess located?

The costomediastinal recess is located anteriorly where the costal and mediastinal pleura meet. The costodiaphragmatic recess is the most clinically important, as most fluid collections pool here. The pleural cavity always maintains a negative pressure.

Is the costomediastinal recess bilateral?

They are present bilaterally at expiration and fill in with lung during inspiration and include the anterior and posterior costomediastinal recess, costophrenic recess, and mediastinophrenic recess 1 ,​ 4 (Fig.

Which part of the thymus contains numerous lymphocytes?

The thymus is encapsulated and divided into lobules by the interlobular septa, which contain blood vessels. Each lobule features an outer cortex densely populated by lymphocytes and an inner medulla less heavily infiltrated with lymphocytes (and thus less heavily stained).

What are the three openings in the diaphragm?

Since one function of the diaphragm is to provide passageway for structures from the thorax to the abdomen, its surface has several openings: caval opening (vena caval foramen), esophageal hiatus, and aortic hiatus.

What is the sternal line of pleural reflection?

The sternal line of pleural reflection is a sharp turn where the costal pleura becomes the mediastinal pleura anteriorly. The costal line of pleural reflection is another abrupt turn where the costal pleura becomes the diaphragmatic pleura inferiorly.

How do lymphatic vessels pass through the lymphatic system?

Lymph passes from lymphatic capillaries into lymphatic vessels then through lymph nodes. Vessels leaving the lymph nodes unite to form lymphatic trunks. The 5 main trunks empty into either the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.

What is the fluid between the membranes of the lungs?

The space between the membranes (called the pleural cavity) is filled with a thin, lubricating liquid (called pleural fluid ). The visceral pleura is the thin, slippery membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and dips into the areas separating the different lobes of the lungs (called the hilum).

What is the function of pleura and intrapleural membrane?

The two membranes that make up the pleura serve primarily to reduce friction when the lungs expand and contract during breathing. The intrapleural space contains a small amount (roughly 4 cc to 5 cc) of pleural fluid between these layers, which helps to act as a cushion.

Where do the thoracic and lymphatic ducts empty?

The thoracic ducts empties into the venous blood at the junction of the left internal jugular and left subclavian veins. The right lymphatic duct empties lymph into the systemic circulation at the junction of the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins.