Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 41 No. 1, 2002.
Case report
Pleural Pathophysiology
Ivan Grbac
Vladimir Stančić
Marija Bačić-Grbac
Davor Jurman
Abstract
According to recent concepts, pleura is defined as an organ with its own biological and functional properties. Pleura is located between two anatomically and functionally different parts of the integral thoracopulmonary system. One is the thorax, which has an active and driving role in the process of ventilation, and the other are the lungs, which passively follow thoracic movements. The balance of the thoracopulmonary system can be compromised by a number of primary and even more commonly secondary pathologic processes of the pleura that can manifest in the form of pleural effusions, air in the pleural cavity, pleural cavity obliteration, or a combination of these phenomena. Variation in the histologic structure of the visceral and parietal pleura, intracavitary fluid exchange, and pathogenesis of pleural effusions are presented. The presence of air in the pleural cavity indicates total disintegration of the thoracopulmonary system and substantially impedes the respiratory function of the lungs. Pleural obliteration or adhesions result in partial or complete pleural space reduction and, depending on the extension and localization of adhesions, cause restriction or restriction-obstruction ventilation disturbances, modify lung hemodynamics, and with time lead to pulmonary hypertension and chronic pulmonary heart. The development of permanent anatomical and functional lesions of the thoracopulmonary system can be timely prevented by an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of pleural changes.
Keywords
Pleura, pathophysiology; Pleural diseases; Pleural effusion; Pneumothorax
Hrčak ID:
14712
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2002.
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