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Pleurisy is characterized by inflammation of the pleura, which are the thin layers of tissue that line the chest cavity and surround the lungs. When the pleura become inflamed, it can cause sharp chest pain, typically exacerbated by breathing, coughing, or movement. This inflammation can be caused by various factors, including infections, autoimmune diseases, or conditions like pulmonary embolism.

Other terms like plantaritis, pneumonia, and pleuralgia refer to different conditions. Plantaritis relates to inflammation of the plantar fascia in the foot and does not pertain to the pleura. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which can sometimes lead to pleurisy if the infection spreads to the pleura. Pleuralgia refers to pain in the pleura, but it does not specifically indicate that inflammation is occurring. Therefore, pleurisy is the most accurate term that directly identifies the inflammation of the pleura.