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
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
The outer layer is called the parietal pleura and attaches to the chest wall, according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Howard Cohen Miami Herald (tns), al, 26 July 2022
Once airborne, the fibres can find their way into the lungs of passers-by, accumulating in the surrounding cavity (the pleura).
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Along with pleural fluid, the lung pleura allows for easy movement of the lungs and inflation during breathing.
—Howard Cohen Miami Herald (tns), al, 26 July 2022
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
The outer layer is called the parietal pleura and attaches to the chest wall, according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Howard Cohen Miami Herald (tns), al, 26 July 2022
Once airborne, the fibres can find their way into the lungs of passers-by, accumulating in the surrounding cavity (the pleura).
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011
Along with pleural fluid, the lung pleura allows for easy movement of the lungs and inflation during breathing.
—Howard Cohen Miami Herald (tns), al, 26 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pleura.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pleura
Cite this Entry
“Pleura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleura. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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