What is a pleural effusion?

Answer 1

A pleural effusion is when there is excess fluid in the intrapleural space between the visceral and parietal pleura of the lungs. Normally this space is mostly adhered together with a small amount of viscous fluid, but pleural effusions can occur when excess fluid gets in this area. The pleural effusion can be many different types of fluid: serous from fluid overload, blood from injury which is a hemothorax, malignant fluid from cancer, Etc