title: Anatomy and pathophysiology of the pleura and pleural space.
abstract: Pleural effusions are most often secondary to an underlying condition and may be the first sign of the underlying pathologic condition. The balance between the hydrostatic and oncotic forces dictates pleural fluid homeostasis. The parietal pleura has a more significant role in pleural fluid homeostasis. Its vessels are closer to the pleural space compared with its visceral counterpart; it contains lymphatic stomata, absent on visceral pleura, which are responsible for a bulk clearance of fluid. The diagnosis and successful treatment of pleural effusions requires a mixture of imaging techniques and pleural fluid analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery (MMC), Monash University, Clayton Road, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Nilay Gamze
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.forename: Cliff K C
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Choong
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eizenberg
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology