title: [Physiopathology of pleural diseases].
abstract: The pleura is characterized by its great capacity to drain liquids and particles from the pleural space and a strong inflammatory potential. Mesothelial cells react to various endogenous or exogenous agents, which are absent from the pleural space in normal conditions: air, blood, organic and inorganic particles. The pleura is a target organ, for specific lesions (pleural plaques, mesothelioma) induced by mineral fibers and for non-specific inflammatory lesions from multiple causes (drugs, systemic diseases, infections). The risk for diseases of the pleura appears disproportionate compared with its physiological role.
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, service de pneumologie, Hôpital Erasme.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Vuyst
mesh_terms: D005355:Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010994:Pleura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000503:physiopathology; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals
vernacular_title: Physiopathologie des affections pleurales.