What is pleural effusion? Pleural effusion, which some people call “water on the lungs,” is the buildup of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside your lungs. The pleura are thin membranes that …

Dec 13, 2023 · One pleural layer of tissue wraps around the outside of the lungs. The other pleural layer lines the inner chest wall. Between these two layers is a small space (pleural space) that's usually …

Mar 24, 2022 · The tissue is called the pleura, and the thin space between its two layers is called the pleural space. A small amount of fluid fills the pleural space, and when you breathe in and out, this …

Dec 22, 2025 · Your pleura is a large, thin sheet of tissue that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity. Between the layers of the pleura is a very thin space. …

The serous membrane that covers the surface of the lung is the visceral pleura and is separated from the outer membrane, the parietal pleura, by just the film of pleural fluid in the pleural cavity.

Dec 15, 2025 · Key Takeaways The pleura is a thin membrane that covers and cushions the lungs. Pleural fluid reduces friction between the lungs and chest during breathing. Pleurisy is inflammation …

Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (the area between the 2 layers of the thin membrane that covers the lungs).

Nov 6, 2025 · There is a potential space between the viscera and parietal pleura, known as the pleural cavity. We shall now consider the structures of the pleurae in more detail. The parietal pleura covers …

Pleural disease care at Penn Medicine includes a dedicated team of specialists with the expertise and passion to treat a wide range of pleural disorders, including pleural effusion.

Learn more about pleural disease and pleural disorders with thorough coverage of symptoms, causes and treatment options from Froedtert & MCW pulmonologists.