US Medical Term · anatomy
Pleura
Pleura
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Pleura |
| Spanish (Español) | Pleura |
| Chinese (中文) | 胸膜 |
| Korean (한국어) | 흉막 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Màng phổi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pleura |
| Portuguese (Português) | Pleura |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เยื่อหุ้มปอด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 胸膜 |
What it means
The pleura is a thin two-layered membrane — a smooth, slippery lining — that wraps around each lung and also lines the inside of the chest wall. The two layers slide against each other as you breathe, and a tiny amount of fluid between them acts like a lubricant so breathing is painless and effortless. When the pleura becomes inflamed — a condition called pleuritis or pleurisy — you may feel a sharp stabbing pain in the chest with every breath. Fluid can also build up between the two layers, a condition called a pleural effusion, which can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath. Doctors can drain this fluid with a needle procedure called a thoracentesis.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have a sharp pain when I breathe in — could that be pleurisy, a problem with my pleura?
Me duele mucho cuando respiro. ¿Podría ser pleuritis, un problema con mi pleura?
The X-ray showed fluid around my lung — they said it was in the pleura and they need to drain it.
La radiografía mostró líquido alrededor de mi pulmón. Dijeron que está en la pleura y que necesitan drenarlo.
My breathing feels better now that they removed the fluid from around the pleura of my left lung.
Respiro mejor ahora que drenaron el líquido de alrededor de la pleura de mi pulmón izquierdo.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026