Understanding the Pleurocentrum: Structure, Function, and Clinical Significance

Pleurocentrum is a term used in the field of anatomy to describe a structure that is located in the pleura, which is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. The pleurocentrum is a small, cartilaginous ring that is located at the junction of the ribs and the sternum (breastbone) and serves as an attachment point for the pleural membrane.

The pleurocentrum is present in both the left and right sides of the chest cavity, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the proper position and tension of the pleural membrane. The pleurocentrum also helps to facilitate the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing by allowing the pleural membrane to slide smoothly over the ribs and sternum.

In addition to its structural role, the pleurocentrum has been implicated in various respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, such as pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura) and pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Abnormalities in the pleurocentrum can also be a sign of certain genetic or developmental disorders.