Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

The lungs are covered by which of the following membranes?

1. Parietal pleura

2. Visceral pleura

3. Pericardial sac

4. Pulmonary membrane

The correct answer is: Visceral pleura

The correct answer is the visceral pleura, as it refers specifically to the serous membrane that covers the surface of the lungs themselves. This membrane is essential for providing a smooth surface that reduces friction as the lungs expand and contract during breathing. It adheres closely to the lung tissue and is part of the pleural cavity system, which also includes the parietal pleura that lines the chest wall. The distinction between the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura is important; while the parietal pleura is attached to the inner surface of the thoracic cavity, the visceral pleura directly envelops the lungs. This structural organization is vital for efficient respiratory mechanics and helps to create the negative pressure needed for lung inflation. Additionally, the other options like the pericardial sac, which surrounds the heart, and pulmonary membrane, which can refer to various structures associated with the pulmonary system but not specifically to the membrane covering the lungs, further clarify why the visceral pleura is the most accurate choice in this context.