Pleural Villi

Pleural villi (pleurale villi) are structures that protrude from the visceral pleura into the pleural cavity. They are found both in the lung and in the parietal plegma. Superficial (pulmonary) pleural villi are isolated. Also distinguished are parietal (immediately adjacent to visceral). Pleural (parapleural) villi have an important role: they participate in serous fluid exchange, sputum secretion, and breathing. They can perform a secretory function and act as a connecting element between several types of cells (histiocytes, goblet cells, mast cells). In parallel, the fibers help transform the pleura into a dense state. They undergo fibroblastic transformation, which becomes the cause of malignant tumors. In the absence of a benign condition of pleural villi in patients after removal of the mediastinum, their removal becomes a condition for the absence of postoperative bleeding.