Pleurisy

Home » Pleurisy » Overview

Overview

Pleurisy (pronounced PLUR-ĭs-see), also called pleuritis and pleuritic chest pain, is a condition characterized by swelling (inflammation) of the membrane that surrounds the lungs and separates the lungs from the chest wall and other organs in the chest (e.g., diaphragm, heart). This membrane is called the pleura or pleural sac.

The pleura consists of two layers of tissue: one layer surrounds the lungs and the other layer lines the inner walls of the chest. Between these two layers of tissue is a thin area of space called the pleural space. The pleural space contains a small amount of pleural fluid, which lubricates the lining and allows the lungs to expand during breathing with little friction.

When the pleura becomes inflamed, the surfaces of the membrane rub together as the lungs expand with each breath. Since pain receptors in the lungs are located in the pleura, this friction results in pain, especially when breathing in.

In some cases, inflammation of the pleura can result in other related disorders, such as pleural effusion (increased amount of fluid in the pleural space), pneumothorax (build up of air in the pleural space), or hemothorax (build up of blood in the pleural space).

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pleurisy Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Pulmonary Care Team The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your lung condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Pleurisy Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer