The anatomy of the human lung / by A.T. Houghton Waters.

  • Waters, A. T. H. (Alderman Thomas Houghton), 1826-1912.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The anatomy of the human lung / by A.T. Houghton Waters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    65/270 (page 49)
    Connections of the Pleuree.—The pleurte are con- nected with the structures m the thorax through the medium of areolar or connective tissue, which differs in its character in different parts. In the mediastinal portions, it is coairse and loose; on the inner surface of the ribs and intercostal muscles, it is less coarse, and firmer; on the diaphragm, it becomes finer; and on the lungs themselves, it is of a finer and more delicate chaxacter than in anj other part. In con- sequence of this difference in the arrangement of the connective tissue, the firmness of attachment of the different portions of the pleura differs very materially. Mediastinal portion. — Here the adhesions are for the most part loose, and the membrane may be readily separated. A considerable quantity of fat is often found in the areolar tissue of this region. In some parts, the folds of the two pleurse are closely united, as in the anterior mediastinum. Costal portion. — The union here is somewhat firmer than that of the mediastinal portion; but still, if care be used, the membrane may be easily separated from its attachments. Fatty deposits are often found in this region, beneath the pleura, in connection with the areolar tissue; they raise the surface of the membrane above the level of the sur- rounding parts, and are analogous to the appendices epiploic^ of the large intestines. There is a strong fascia lying upon the intercostal muscles situated underneath this portion of the pleura. Diaphragmatic portion. — This is much more closely and firmly connected with the structure on which it lies than are the forementioned portions. In