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Glite Dictionary
visceral pleura

visceral pleura

6.3
A thin layer that covers the outside of the lungs
  • noun
  • /ˈvɪsərəl ˈplʊərə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pleura visceral
  • The visceral pleura closely adheres to the surface of each lung, providing necessary protection.

Examples

  • The visceral pleurae protect the lungs from friction.

  • During surgery, the visceral pleura must be handled with care to prevent complications.

  • Damage to the visceral pleura can cause serious respiratory problems.

  • The visceral pleura is essential for protecting the delicate tissues of the lungs.

  • The visceral pleura is essential for lung function.

  • Damage to the visceral pleura can cause serious respiratory problems.

  • During surgery, the surgeon must be careful not to damage the visceral pleura.

Synonyms

pleura
vsvisceral pleura
  • Specialized
2 9.6

Thin layer of tissue that lines the chest and covers the lungs

is only the membrane that fits closely over the lung surface

Surface Forms

visceral pleura singular
visceral pleurae plural

Morphology

visceral + pleura

Both constituents are semantically compositional: 'visceral' means relating to the internal organs and 'pleura' is the membrane around the lungs, so 'visceral pleura' straightforwardly denotes the pleural layer that adheres to the lung organ. This modifier + noun pattern is predictable (and mirrored in other languages/medical terminology), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Visceral pleura comes from old words: visceral meant the 'insides' and pleura meant the 'side', so it literally names the thin layer that sits against the lung. That's why it means 'the thin layer that closely covers the surface of the lungs'.