Pleura

A pleura is a serous membrane which folds back onto itself to form a two-layered membrane structure. The outer pleura (parietal pleura) is attached to the chest wall. The inner pleura (visceral pleura) covers the lungs and adjoining structures, via blood vessels, bronchi and nerves. The parietal pleura is highly sensitive to pain, while the visceral pleura is not, due to its autonomic innervation.

The thin space between the two pleural layers is known as the pleural cavity and normally contains a small amount of pleural fluid.