title: Pleura space anatomy.
abstract: The pleural cavity is the potential space between the two pleurae (visceral and parietal) of the lungs. 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. There are two layers; the outer pleura (parietal pleura) is attached to the chest wall and the inner pleura (visceral pleura) covers the lungs and adjoining structures, via blood vessels, bronchi and nerves. The parietal pleurae are highly sensitive to pain, while the visceral pleura are not, due to its lack of sensory innervation. In the current review we will present the anatomy of the pleural space.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charalampidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Andrianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Youroukou
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazaridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mpoukovinas
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karavasilis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kioumis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pitsiou
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaiwannou
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karavergou
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Kosmas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsakiridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsikogiannis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarika
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kapanidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Leonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sakkas
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ipokratis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Korantzis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lampaki
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Pathology Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 10 Oncology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
keywords: Pneumothorax; anatomy; pleural space