What Is Pleural Effusion?

By james

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Our lungs are located in the chest cavity, which would otherwise be a vacant space. Although connected to the body, our lungs are not actually attached to most of the chest cavity. Instead, they are slightly separated from the rest of the cavity, and this helps to make it easier for them to inflate and deflate.

Pleural effusion is a condition that affects the pleural cavity, which is a small space between the lungs and chest cavity wall. It is a relatively common condition, with around 1 million people being diagnosed with it each year in the United States. Many cases can be treated but the condition will be fatal in some cases.

1. Pleural Effusion?

In between the chest cavity and the lungs is a space known as the pleural cavity. This space is sandwiched by two thin membranes known as the pleura, and they cover the exterior of the lungs, and the interior wall of the chest cavity. The pleural cavity also contains a small volume of fluid.

The fluid in the pleural cavity helps to act as a lubricant so the two pleura membranes can slide smoothly over each other. While the presence of this fluid is very important, however, there can also be too much of it. When too much of this fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity, it causes a condition known as pleural effusion.