Parietal pleura
Pleura parietalis
RespiratoryOrgansThoraxLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- The outer pleural layer lining the inner chest wall, diaphragm and mediastinum; below the lung edge it forms the costodiaphragmatic recess.
- Function
- Seals the pleural cavity, a potential space with 10–20 ml of fluid under negative pressure that keeps the lungs expanded.
- Size
- The recess extends about two rib spaces (≈5 cm) below the lower lung border in the mid-axillary line.
- Clinical note
- Effusions collect first in the costodiaphragmatic recess and blunt the costophrenic angle on an upright chest X-ray; the parietal pleura is richly supplied by pain-sensitive intercostal and phrenic nerves.