Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Definition of pleura - 8 dictionary results

pleu⋅ra

[ploor-uh]
–noun, plural pleu⋅rae [ploor-ee] for 1.
1. Anatomy, Zoology. a delicate serous membrane investing each lung in mammals and folded back as a lining of the corresponding side of the thorax.
2. pl. of pleuron.

Origin:
1655–65; < NL < Gk pleurá (sing.) side, rib

pleu⋅ron

[ploor-on]
–noun, plural pleu⋅ra [ploor-uh] . Entomology.
the lateral plate or plates of a thoracic segment of an insect.

Origin:
1700–10; < Gk pleurón rib, (pl.) side
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pleura
pleu·ra 1   (plŏŏr'ə)   
n.   pl. pleu·rae (plŏŏr'ē)
A thin serous membrane in mammals that envelops each lung and folds back to make a lining for the chest cavity.

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Greek, side, rib.]
pleu'ral adj.
pleu·ra 2   (plŏŏr'ə)   
n.  Plural of pleuron.
pleu·ron   (plŏŏr'ŏn')   
n.   pl. pleu·ra (plŏŏr'ə)
An external lateral part of the body segments of arthropods.

[New Latin, from Greek, side, rib.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pleu·ra
Pronunciation: 'plur-&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pleu·rae /'plur-E/ or pleuras
: either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane each of which lines one lateral half of the thorax, has an inner layer closely adherent to the corresponding lung,is reflected at the root of the lung to form a parietal layer that adheres to the walls of the thorax, the pericardium, the upper surface of the diaphragm, and adjacent parts, and contains a smallamount of serous fluid that minimizes the friction of respiratory movements
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

pleura pleu·ra (pl&oobreve;r'ə)
n. pl. pleu·rae (pl&oobreve;r'ē)
The thin serous membrane that envelops each lung and folds back to make a lining for the chest cavity.


pleu'ral adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

pleura

membrane lining the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) and covering the lungs (visceral pleura). The parietal pleura folds back on itself at the root of the lung to become the visceral pleura. In health the two pleurae are in contact. When the lung collapses, however, or when air or liquid collects between the two membranes, the pleural cavity or sac becomes apparent (see pleurisy). There are actually two pleural cavities, the right and the left; each constitutes a closed unit not connected to the other. The glistening surface of the pleura is made up of a sheet of flat cells, the mesothelium, which covers an underlying layer of loose elastic tissue. The pleura exudes a thin fluid that keeps it moist and lubricated.

Learn more about pleura with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see pleura on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: