SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 668
Anatomy → Region
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
Which statement regarding pain sensation from the pleura is most accurate?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Both visceral and parietal pleura are insensitive to pain
B
Visceral pleura is highly pain-sensitive whereas parietal pleura is insensitive
C
Visceral pleura is relatively insensitive whereas parietal pleura is highly pain-sensitive
D
Only mediastinal pleura is insensitive to pain
E
Only diaphragmatic pleura is sensitive to pain
Explanation
The visceral pleura is relatively insensitive to pain, whereas the parietal pleura is highly pain-sensitive. This distinction is important when considering the sensory innervation of pleural surfaces.
Option Validity
A) The parietal pleura is highly sensitive to pain.
B) This reverses the relative pain sensitivities of the visceral and parietal pleura.
D) Pain sensitivity is not restricted in this way to the mediastinal pleura.
E) The parietal pleura is pain-sensitive more generally; sensitivity is not confined to the diaphragmatic portion.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 2: Anatomy, p.12.