Question

Conditions such as pneumonia and lung cancer can result in what is known as a pleural effusion, in which the pleural cavity becomes filled with a large amount of fluid. What effects do you think a pleural effusion would have on ventilation? Explain.

Answer 1

Ans...First we have to know pleural effusion is an unusual amount of fluid around the lung,this type effusion may cause you to become breathless,the fluid can be drained if necessary.We have to know there are two thin membranes in the chest one lining the lungs and the other covering the inside of the chest wall.

• Pleural effusion itself is not a disease as much as a result of many different diseases,anyone who develops one of the many conditions that canproduce an effusion may be affected.
• In pleural effusions fluid builds up in the space between the layers of pleura,only teaspoons of watery fluid are in the pleural space allowing the lungs to move smoothly within the chest cavity during breathing.
• Pleural effusion develops when this fluid builds up and separates the lung from the chest wall,Pleural effusions appear white on chest X-rays while air space looks black.

Some effects of pleural effusion would have on ventilation

It depends depend upon volume mild does not have any effecet on lung but moderate,arthritic conditions may cause inflammation of the pleura in addition to joint inflammation,low level of protein in the blood also tends to allow fluid to seep out of the blood vessels.The balance of osmotic and hydrostatic pressure in parietal pleural capillaries normally results in fluid movement into the pleural space.