What is the term for the connection created between the lungs and thorax through pleural pressure?

The term "pleural linkage" accurately describes the connection formed between the lungs and the thorax due to pleural pressure. This connection is crucial for effective respiration. The pleural space contains a fluid that creates a negative pressure, allowing the lungs to adhere to the thoracic wall. This linkage ensures that when the thorax expands during inhalation, the lungs are also pulled outward, allowing air to flow in.

The intrapleural space refers specifically to the space between the visceral and parietal pleurae, but it does not encompass the dynamic relationship between lung movement and thoracic expansion. Thoracic pressure pertains to the pressure within the thoracic cavity but does not specifically address the connection aspect provided by pleural pressure. Surfactant adhesion relates to surface tension within the alveoli, which helps reduce the effort needed to expand the lungs, but does not refer to the connection between the lungs and thorax. Thus, "pleural linkage" is the most suitable term for the connection formed through pleural pressure.