visceral pleura

Last reviewed 01/2018

Visceral pleura is the innermost of the two layer of pleural membranes investing the lungs. It consists of a smooth layer of continuous mesothelial cells. It is deep to the parietal pleura; a thin layer of serous fluid intervenes between the two in the potential space of the pleural cavity. The visceral and parietal pleura only merge together as a layer at root of the lung. Elsewhere, the fluid lubricant within the pleural cavity permits both layers to slide freely over each other.

The visceral pleura closely follows the underlying lung surface. It passes down into fissures between lobes; along these fissures, visceral pleura is apposed to visceral pleura.