Intraplural fluid facilitates the movement of the lungs with every inhalation and exhalation in the chest cavity.
It also protects the lungs from chest traumas.
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∙ 14y agothe intrapleural space is also referred to as the intrapleural cavity - the space where the major organs are fitted into and protected by the surrounding skeletal rib cage.
the intrapleural space is also referred to as the intrapleural cavity - the space where the major organs are fitted into and protected by the surrounding skeletal rib cage.
The term that describes the result from an injury that permits air to leak into the intrapleural space is pneumothorax
The lung will collapse (atelectasis) because the negative intrapleural pressure gradient that keeps the lung inflated has is now at equilibrium with atmospheric pressure.
A pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung.
Intrapleural pressure is most negative at the completion of inspiration.
Intrathoracic pressure
Intrapleural pressure is the pressure difference between the lungs and the pleural cavity of the lungs.
Pleural pressure is negative (lower than alveolar pressure or barometric pressure) because of a "suction effect" caused by lung recoil. As the lungs recoil elastically, the inner and outer pleural membranes tend to be pulled apart but fluid within the pleural cavity keeps the inner and outer pleural membranes close together. This pulling force decreases the pressure between the inner and outer membranes lining the pleural cavity - an effect that can be appreciated by stacking several plastic cups together, submersing the stack in soapy water ensuring that the spaces between the cups fill with water, and then lift the stack of cups out of the water and try to pull the cups apart. A suction effect will occur producing negative pressure in fluid-filled spaces between the cups as you attempt to pull them apart. The fluid-filled space between the cups is like the fluid-filled space in the pleural cavity. That is why pleural pressure is negative.
If not present (and the intra-alveolar pressure equaled atmospheric pressure) the lungs would collapse.
intrapleural pressure
The affected lung would collapse or not be able to expand fully, so lung ventilation would decrease.