visceral pleura
Pronunciation: VIS-er-al PLOOR-ah
Inner layer of pleura that directly covers lung surface and is involved in pleural-based cancers and metastases.
Full Definition
The visceral pleura is the inner layer of the pleural membrane that intimately covers the surface of the lungs, including the fissures between lobes. Unlike the parietal pleura, the visceral pleura moves with the lung during respiration and has a different innervation pattern, being supplied by the vagus and sympathetic nerves rather than intercostal nerves. In thoracic oncology, involvement of the visceral pleura by lung tumors affects staging (T classification) and may influence surgical approach. Primary pleural malignancies such as mesothelioma typically arise from either the visceral or parietal pleural surfaces. The visceral pleura also serves as a barrier that may limit tumor spread and is an important consideration in surgical planning.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from parietal pleura; involvement affects tumor staging and surgical approach.
In Context
- "The tumor showed invasion of the visceral pleura, upstaging the patient to T2 disease." — Pathology report
- "Visceral pleural involvement was evident on thoracoscopic examination." — Surgical report