Final answer:
The term for the invasive procedure that eliminates the pleural space to prevent fluid or air accumulation is pleurodesis. It involves inducing adhesion between the pleural layers to abolish the space, typically after repeated lung issues like pneumothorax or pleural effusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a more invasive form of treatment that destroys the pleural space so that air and fluids can no longer accumulate and the two pleurae adhere is called pleurodesis. This procedure is used to treat repeated pneumothoraces or pleural effusions where other treatments have failed. It involves the introduction of substances into the pleural cavity to cause an inflammatory reaction that results in the fusion of the visceral and parietal layers of pleura, thereby obliterating the pleural space and preventing the re-accumulation of air or fluid.
The pleurae perform the vital functions of producing pleural fluid and creating cavities that separate the main organs. This pleural fluid acts to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura, minimizing friction and facilitating lung movement with the thoracic wall during breathing. Conditions like pleurisy cause painful inflammation of the pleural layers, increasing chest pressure and reducing lung volume. The intrapleural pressure is normally maintained by the delicate balance of opposing forces including the elasticity of the lungs and the chest wall, with the liquid adhesion maintaining lung positioning.