Final answer:
Pleurisy is a condition that involves inflammation of the pleura, which affects the lungs. The pleura comprise two layers, visceral and parietal, and pleurisy can cause sharp chest pain during breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pleurisy is a condition that affects the anatomical structure of the lungs. Specifically, it involves inflammation of the pleura, which is the moist, double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the rib cage. The pleura consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The pleural cavity between these layers contains a small amount of fluid that allows the lungs to move smoothly within the chest during breathing.
If the pleura becomes inflamed, as with pleurisy, it can cause sharp chest pain that worsens during breathing. This condition underscores the importance of the pleura in the respiratory system, where the right ventricle sends blood specifically to the lungs for oxygenation, and the lobes of the lungs facilitate gas exchange.