parietal pleura

Introduction

Lines the pulmonary cavities & adheres to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum & the diaphragm. Consists of 4 parts:

• Costal pleura
  • lines the ribs (thoracic wall)
• Mediastinal pleura
  • covers the lateral aspect of the mediastinum
• Diaphragmatic pleura
  • covers the superior or thoracic surface of the diaphragm on each side of the mediastinum
• Cervical pleura (cupula, dome of pleura)
  • extends through the superior thoracic aperture into the root of the neck, forming a cup shaped pleural dome over the apex of the lung (the part extending above the 1st rib)

More general terms

• pleura

Component of

• thorax