Pleural Plaques

Term: Pleural PlaquesDefinition: Pleural plaques are areas of thickened tissue on the pleura, the lining of the lungs, often resulting from asbestos exposure. They are generally non-cancerous and do not usually cause symptoms.Phonetic Pronunciation: (PLOOR-al PLAKS)Origin: The term "pleural" originates from the Greek word "pleura," meaning "side" or "rib," referring to the membrane surrounding the lungs. "Plaques" comes from the Latin "placa," meaning "plate" or "flat piece," describing the appearance of the thickened tissue.Significance in Asbestos Context: Pleural plaques are significant in asbestos-related cases because they serve as a marker of past asbestos exposure. Although they are benign, their presence can be used in legal contexts to support claims of asbestos exposure and may indicate an increased risk of developing more serious asbestos-related diseases.Example Sentence: The medical report confirmed the presence of pleural plaques in the patient's lungs, which were attributed to his years of working with asbestos-containing materials.Related Terms: Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Pleural Effusion, Asbestos ExposureNotes: - Pleural plaques are often discovered incidentally during chest X-rays or CT scans. - While they do not typically cause health issues, they can be distressing for individuals due to their association with asbestos exposure. - Pleural plaques can sometimes be confused with other pleural diseases, but they are distinct in their benign nature and appearance.