pleural rub
Quick Summary
A pleural friction rub is an abnormal sound heard during respiration, caused by the rubbing together of inflamed pleural membranes. This occurs in a condition called pleurisy, which is the inflammation of the pleura, the membranes lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs.12
There are two types of pleurisy:
* Dry pleurisy: Characterized by a pleural friction rub, with little to no fluid buildup in the pleural cavity.1
* Wet pleurisy: Involves the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, which can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath.1
Pleurisy is often caused by lung infections and can be quite painful due to the pleura's rich nerve supply.1
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