pleural recesses
Last reviewed 01/2018
The pleural recesses are potential spaces within the thoracic cavity where, particularly in expiration, the visceral and parietal pleura are relatively distant. Such is the negative pressure of the serous fluid lining the cavity with the lung relatively contracted, that parietal pleura may be drawn inwards. Hence, the inner surface of two apposed areas of parietal pleura may actually make contact.
The pleural recesses include the:
- costodiaphragmatic recesses
- costomediastinal recesses