Which pleural layer lines the inner surface of the thoracic wall?

• A. Visceral pleura
• B. Parietal pleura
• C. Pleural fluid
• D. Mediastinal pleura

Answer: (B)

The parietal pleura lines the inner surface of the thoracic wall. It attaches to the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum, forming the lining that lines the thoracic cavity. In contrast, the visceral pleura covers the lungs themselves, and the space between the two pleural layers contains pleural fluid to reduce friction during breathing. The mediastinal pleura is a subdivision that lines the mediastinum specifically, not the entire chest wall.