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Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Pleura

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Chest Drains in Daily Clinical Practice

Abstract

The pleura connect the lungs and the chest wall. This interaction is therefore very important for appropriate breathing mechanics. There is a logical association between the pleura’s physiology and physical attributes and its anatomic and functional construction. The pressure difference between the two pleural sheets is essentially important in regard to the physiology and pathophysiology of the pleural space and its organs. The difference in pressure from the outer side of the lung and heart to the inner side of the chest wall is regulated by that pressure. The intrapleural pressure influences the regulation of two clinically relevant processes: the first is breathing and the second is the production, consistency, and amount of pleural fluid produced.The pathophysiologic changes in pleural fluid are produced as a consequence of changes in the complex pleural pressure relationships. The consistency of the pleural fluid has a crucial impact on clinical symptoms and course of any resultant disease states.

The pathophysiologic changes in pleural fluid are produced as a consequence of changes in the complex pleural pressure relationships. The consistency of the pleural fluid has a crucial impact on clinical symptoms and course of any resultant disease states.

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Correspondence to Rolf Inderbitzi .

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Cafarotti, S., Condoluci, A., Inderbitzi, R. (2017). Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Pleura. In: Kiefer, T. (eds) Chest Drains in Daily Clinical Practice . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32339-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32339-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32338-1

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