Final answer:
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleural layers, specifically between the visceral pleura that covers the lungs and the parietal pleura that attaches to the surrounding structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
A diagnostic of "pleurisy" means that the patient has an inflammation between the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura. Specifically, the pleura that surrounds the lungs consists of these two layers: the visceral pleura is the inner layer that covers the lungs and extends into the lung fissures; the parietal pleura is the outer layer that attaches to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm. Pleurisy is a condition where the pleural cavity, which is the space between the visceral and parietal layers, becomes inflamed leading to pain during breathing due to the increased pressure and reduced volume of the lung.