What is pleurisy?

Pleurisy is defined as the inflammation of the pleural lining, which consists of two layers of tissue surrounding the lungs—the visceral pleura that covers the lungs themselves, and the parietal pleura that lines the chest cavity. When these layers become inflamed, it can lead to sharp chest pain, especially during breathing, coughing, or sneezing. This condition can arise from various causes, such as infections, autoimmune diseases, or lung-related issues like pneumonia or tumors.

Understanding that pleurisy specifically involves the pleura helps distinguish it from other inflammatory conditions in the body, such as pericarditis, which affects the heart's surrounding membrane, or laryngitis, which involves inflammation of the larynx. Each of these conditions has its own unique symptoms and implications, making it important to understand the specific structures involved to accurately identify and treat the condition.