plural pleurae
ˈplu̇r-ˌē 
-ˌī
or pleuras
: the delicate serous membrane that lines each half of the thorax of mammals and is folded back over the surface of the lung of the same side
Examples of pleura in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inflammation of the lungs' lining (pleura) that can develop due to a lung infection, such as pneumonia, or an underlying lung condition.
—
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
The most common site of mesothelioma is the pleura, the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs.
—Oliver Eng, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Pleural fluid culture is necessary to assess if bacteria or fungi are spreading to the pleura, which is the tissue on the outside of the lungs and along the inside of the chest cavity.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
The rib cage shields the lungs, and the pleura is a protective membrane that covers and cushions them.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 16 Oct. 2024
Unexplained Shortness of Breath or a Dry Cough Unexplained shortness of breath or a persistent cough can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer that spreads into the lungs or the tissue lining the lungs, which is called the pleura.
—Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024
Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi).
—Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023
Stage 1b cancers often grow into one of the bronchi (main airways) or the visceral pleura (membranes surrounding the lungs).
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2023
And their effects were nigh indistinguishable when Carbone tested them on cells taken from the lining around the pleura (the mesothelium, from which mesothelioma gets its name).
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
The most common site of mesothelioma is the pleura, the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs.
—Oliver Eng, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Pleural fluid culture is necessary to assess if bacteria or fungi are spreading to the pleura, which is the tissue on the outside of the lungs and along the inside of the chest cavity.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
The rib cage shields the lungs, and the pleura is a protective membrane that covers and cushions them.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 16 Oct. 2024
Unexplained Shortness of Breath or a Dry Cough Unexplained shortness of breath or a persistent cough can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer that spreads into the lungs or the tissue lining the lungs, which is called the pleura.
—Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024
Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi).
—Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023
Stage 1b cancers often grow into one of the bronchi (main airways) or the visceral pleura (membranes surrounding the lungs).
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2023
And their effects were nigh indistinguishable when Carbone tested them on cells taken from the lining around the pleura (the mesothelium, from which mesothelioma gets its name).
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Cite this Entry
“Pleura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleura. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pleura
noun
pleu·ra
ˈplu̇r-ə
plural pleurae
ˈplu̇(ə)r-ˌē
-ˌī
or pleuras
: the delicate membrane lining each half of the chest of mammals and folded back over the surface of the lung of the same side
Medical Definition
pleura
noun
pleu·ra
ˈplu̇r-ə
plural pleurae
ˈplu̇r-ē
or pleuras
or pleuras
: either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane each of which lines one lateral half of the thorax, has an inner visceral layer closely adherent to the corresponding lung, is reflected at the root of the lung to form a parietal layer that adheres to the walls of the thorax, the pericardium, the upper surface of the diaphragm, and adjacent parts, and contains a small amount of serous fluid that minimizes the friction of respiratory movements
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