What is the covering of the lungs and thoracic cavity called?

The covering of the lungs and thoracic cavity is known as the pleura. This double-layered membrane consists of two parts, the visceral pleura, which directly covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the thoracic cavity. The pleura serves an essential function by providing a lubricated surface for the movement of the lungs during breathing, allowing for efficient expansion and contraction, and it also plays a role in reducing friction between the lung surface and the chest wall.

Understanding the terminology is crucial in medical and insurance coding contexts, as accurate identification of anatomical structures is necessary for precise documentation, billing, and coding of medical services. Other options present related but distinct concepts, such as pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the pleura, and the pericardium, which is the protective sac surrounding the heart. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a role in respiration, but it is not a covering of the lungs.