Pleural Disorders

<p>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.

Normally it's filled with a small amount of fluid.

The fluid helps the two layers of the pleura glide smoothly past each other <span class="qt1">as</span> your lungs breathe air in and out.</p><p>Disorders of the pleura include:</p><ul><li>Pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura that causes sharp pain with breathing</li><li>Pleural effusion - excess fluid in the pleural space</li><li>Pneumothorax - buildup of air or gas in the pleural space</li><li>Hemothorax - buildup of blood in the pleural space</li></ul><p>Many different conditions can cause pleural problems.

Viral infection is the most common cause o