Which pleura is the inner layer that adheres to the lungs and is insensitive to pain?

Which pleura is the inner layer that adheres to the lungs and is insensitive to pain?

• A. Visceral pleura
• B. Parietal pleura
• C. Pleural cavity
• D. Peritoneal layer

Answer: (A)

The inner layer that adheres to the lungs is the visceral pleura. It covers the lung surface and follows its contours, including into the fissures, forming a tight, continuous layer with the lung tissue. It is insensitive to pain because it receives autonomic (visceral) innervation, which does not convey sharp, localized pain. In contrast, the parietal pleura lines the chest wall and mediastinum and is rich in somatic nerves (intercostal and phrenic), making it sensitive to pain. The pleural cavity is the small space between these two layers containing lubricating fluid, while the peritoneal layer is not part of the pleura at all.

The inner layer that adheres to the lungs is the visceral pleura. It covers the lung surface and follows its contours, including into the fissures, forming a tight, continuous layer with the lung tissue. It is insensitive to pain because it receives autonomic (visceral) innervation, which does not convey sharp, localized pain. In contrast, the parietal pleura lines the chest wall and mediastinum and is rich in somatic nerves (intercostal and phrenic), making it sensitive to pain. The pleural cavity is the small space between these two layers containing lubricating fluid, while the peritoneal layer is not part of the pleura at all.