Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pleural space

pleural space

1 8.2
The thin space between the two layers around the lungs that holds a little fluid
  • noun
  • /ˈplʊrəl speɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espacio pleural

Examples

  • Pericardial wounds that open into the pleura may be associated with free bleeding into the pleural space.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Well, the chest is filling up with blood, so they've got to empty that pleural space out of blood, because if not, the lungs can't.

  • The doctor explained that fluid buildup can occur in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall.

  • In cases of pneumonia, inflammation can lead to infection in the pleural space around the lungs.

  • Excess fluid in the pleural space can make breathing difficult and may require medical intervention.

Synonyms

pleural cavity
vspleural space
  • Specialized
1 6.4

The space inside the chest around the lungs between two thin layers

is a thinner potential gap between parietal and visceral layers usually containing little fluid

Surface Forms

pleural space singular
pleural spaces plural

Morphology

pleural + space

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'pleural' means relating to the pleura and 'space' means an area, so together they indicate a space associated with the pleura. Although the full anatomical specifics (a thin potential space containing lubricating fluid) are technical, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to a bodily space near the pleura; similar constructions exist in other languages, supporting transparency.

Etymology

Pleural space shows a simple picture: two thin layers that wrap the lung with a tiny gap between them, so the pleural layers form a small space that normally holds a little fluid. So if air or extra fluid fills that 'space', it can stop the lung from moving well and make breathing hard.