Lines the outer surface of the lungs.

• A. Visceral pleura
• B. Parietal pleura
• C. Pleural cavity
• D. Visceral pericardium

Answer: (A)

The lining that covers the outer surface of the lungs is the visceral pleura. This membrane adheres directly to the lungs, wrapping around the lung tissue itself and following its contours and fissures. The parietal pleura, in contrast, lines the inner surface of the chest wall, including the diaphragm and mediastinum. Between these two layers is the pleural cavity, a potential space that contains a small amount of fluid to reduce friction during breathing. The visceral pericardium covers the heart, not the lungs. Understanding the distinction between visceral (covering the organ) and parietal (lining the body wall) helps explain why the visceral pleura specifically lines the lungs.