Structural and functional differences of the parietal and visceral pleura
| Biological parameters | Parietal pleura | Visceral pleura |
| Mesothelial microvilli | Fewer (fewest on the costal surface) | More abundant |
| Mesothelial cell form | Flat | Cuboidal |
| Elasticity | Low | High |
| Permeability | High | Low |
| Tight junctions | Fewer | More |
| Intramembranous organisation | Loose | Complex and tight |
| Innervation | Somatic, intercostal nerves | Vagus, sympathetic trunk |
| Pain receptors | Yes | No |
| Vascularisation | Abundant | Poor |
| Drainage of pleural fluid and particles | Most | Little |
| Pleural fluid origin | Most | Little |
| Stomata | Yes, basal part | No |
| Lymphatic drainage | Abundant (mostly intercostal spaces) | Less, closer to alveoli than the mesothelium |
| Kampmeier's foci | Yes | No |
Information from [53].