Visceral pleura

Each lung is invested by a delicate serous membrane, the pleura, which is arranged in the form of a closed invaginated sac. A portion of the serous membrane covers the surface of the lung and dips into the fissures between its lobes; it is called the pulmonary pleura or visceral pleura. The visceral pleura is derived from mesoderm.

The visceral pleura is attached directly to the lungs, as opposed to the parietal pleura, which is attached to the opposing thoracic cavity. The space between these two membranes is known as the pleural space or pleural cavity.

The visceral pleura receives its blood supply from the bronchial circulation, which also supplies the lung tissue. It receives its innervation from the autonomic nervous system, and thus, unlike the parietal pleura, it is not sensitive to pain.