The visceral pleura is the membrane attached to which structure?

• A. Surface of the lung
• B. Surface of the heart
• C. Lining of the chest wall
• D. Membrane around the diaphragm

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the visceral pleura is the inner lining that directly covers the lung tissue. It forms a thin, continuous layer that adheres to the lung’s surface and follows its contours and fissures. Between the visceral pleura and the chest wall lies the pleural cavity, lined by the parietal pleura, which covers the inner chest wall, the superior diaphragm, and the mediastinum. In contrast, the heart is enclosed by the visceral pericardium, not pleura, and the diaphragm is lined by parietal pleura over its surface. So the visceral pleura is attached to the surface of the lung.