Excessive amounts of pleural fluid may require drainage through a chest tube. What is the normal amount of fluid present in the pleural space?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pleural "space" is generally only a potential space with a normal fluid volume of 1 to 5 mL. The pleural membranes, however, are very thin and permeable to both liquid and gas; an estimated 5 to 10 L of fluid per day crosses from the parietal pleura to the visceral pleura in a normal adult.

Excessive Amounts of Pleural Fluid May Require Drainage Through a Chest