Extrapleural

Extrapleural - what is it and how is it related to the chest?

The rib cage is an important part of human anatomy. It consists of the ribs, sternum, spine and parietal pleura - a thin membrane that covers the inner surface of the chest. However, in addition to the parietal pleura, there are also other tissues in the chest that are located outside its boundaries.

It is these tissues that are called extrapleural

Extrapleural (from Latin extra - outside and Greek pleura - rib, side) is a term used to describe tissues located in the chest outside the parietal pleura.

The pleura is a thin serous membrane that lines the inside of the chest and covers the lungs. It consists of two layers - the parietal layer, adjacent to the ribs and intercostal muscles, and the visceral layer, covering the lungs.

The extrapleural space is located between the parietal layer of the pleura and the chest wall. It is filled with loose connective tissue and contains intercostal vessels and nerves, lymph nodes, and the roots of the lungs. Extrapleural tissues play an important role in maintaining normal mobility and expansion of the lungs during breathing.

Understanding the anatomy of the extrapleural space is important for doctors of various specialties, especially thoracic surgeons. Knowledge of the location and topography of extrapleural structures helps to avoid their damage during surgical interventions in the chest cavity.

Introduction Extrapleurals are tissues located on the surface of the chest outside the pleural slits. They are several layers of different types of cells and tissues that surround and support the organs of the chest. This is important for understanding the anatomy and physiology of the breast, as well as in order to have an understanding of the condition and functioning of the extrapleurals and related diseases.

Difference between parietal and extrapleural pleura The parietal pleura separates the heart and lungs from the chest wall, limiting them from the spread of the inflammatory process into the mediastinum of the chest (the central part of the lungs). To reach the lung, the infection must enter the area through the soft tissue surrounding the ribs. This protection of the lungs from infection explains the causes and symptoms of bronchiolitis and pleurisy. Chronic pleural sac disease may have no symptoms, but it is a common cause of pneumothorax. The hypothesis that adjacent areas of the pleura can be connected within the serous membranes is confirmed by the parietal pleural compression detected on tomography, which was noted by Sharkey in 1870 [1]. However, it has been found that when destruction of the external pleural pleura has occurred, pleural effusion may occur and begin to accumulate in the area where there is thicker connective tissue that attaches in a horseshoe to the thoracic sphincter, creating a wider space, commonly called the extraplevular space. Thus, the circulation of blood and lymph remains unclear for the next two formations, being probably indirect on the walls of the chest cavity [2]. In the area of ​​the extrapleural space there are 5 types of structures that are classified as extrapleural organs: - ** Costal processes or costal ligament** - consists of a layer of fascia between the extraperitoneally connected internal anterior teeth of the fifth ribs and the skeletal support of the upper part of the pectoral muscle, provides fastening of the vertebrae, covered with perimysial fascia. - **"Meadow straps"** - located between the distal corner of the peritoneum of the diaphragm and the fifth rib, contains