Question

question 25
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which creates surface tension that helps maintain the position of the lungs against the thoracic wall?
parietal pleura
visceral pleura
pleural fluid
pleural cavity
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Explanation:

Pleural fluid is located in the pleural cavity (the space between the parietal pleura - which lines the thoracic cavity - and the visceral pleura - which covers the lungs). Surface tension is a property of liquids. The pleural fluid (a liquid) has surface - tension properties. This surface tension helps to keep the lungs in close contact with the thoracic wall (the parietal pleura is attached to the thoracic wall and the visceral pleura to the lungs, and the pleural fluid between them via surface tension keeps the two pleural layers (and thus the lungs and thoracic wall) in apposition). The parietal pleura and visceral pleura are membranes (not substances that create surface tension), and the pleural cavity is a space (not a substance that can create surface tension).

Answer:

Pleural fluid