Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Pleura
Pleura (PLOOR-uh)
A thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.