Pleural fluid is obtained from the pleural PHYSIOLOGY

cavity, located between the parietal pleural

It is continuously produced by the parietal
membrane lining the chest wall and the
circulation or in the way of bulk flow, white it is
visceral pleural membrane covering the
also continuously reabsorbed by the lymphatic
lungs. Clear and pale yellow indicates the
system via the stomata in the parietal pleura.
appearance of normal fluid.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Clinical Significance
 Hemothorax
The presence of blood in the pleural
fluid.
 Minimal Hemothorax-
<400 ml of blood
 Medium Hemothorax- 400
ml-1000 ml of blood
 Massive hemothorax-
jj >1000 ml of blood
 Pseudochylous effusion
- Triglyceride level is >110
mg/dL-1
 Chylous effusion
- Triglyceride level is >110
mg/dL
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
CHEMICAL EXAMINATION

1. Total Leukocyte count

 Normal: 0-50 cell
 Transudate: 0-50 cell
 Exudate: 50-500 cell
2. Gram’s stain
 Normal: Bacteria absent
 Transudate: Bacteria absent
 Exudate: Bacteria absent
3. AFB stain
 Normal: Bacteria absent
 Transudate: Bacteria absent
 Exudate: Bacteria absent