Pleural means relating to or pertaining to the pleura. The pleura is the smooth, moist double layer of flexible tissue that lines the lungs and the chest wall. The inner layer of the pleura lines the lungs and the outer layer of the pleura lines the chest wall. The pleura that lines the lungs is known as the parietal pleura. The pleura that lines the chest wall is known as the visceral pleura. The lungs are two organs in the body that help people breathe. The pleura helps to protect the surface of the lungs and keep them moist as they inflate and deflate within the rib cage. Pleural comes from the Greek word "pleura" meaning "side."

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