Thorax: Lower Respiratory Tract

Question 1

Describe function of diaphragm

Answer 1

Functions alongside the thoracic muscles to alter the volume of the thorax. It is skeletal muscle and a part of inspiration and expiration. Inspiration is the contraction of the diaphragm and expiration is (largely) passive.

Question 2

Identify important anatomical landmarks of diaphragm

Answer 2

The diaphragm is dome shaped and attached to the body wall via the sternum, costal arch, and lumbar vertebrae. The cupula is the dome part of the diaphragm. Then it has two crura (crus, left and right singular also tendinous) which are the tshirt parts of the caudal aspect. The pars lumbalis is the muscular part and has the esophageal and aortic (more dorsal) hiatus. The central part is tendinous and had the caval foramen.

Question 3

List vascular + nervous supply of diaphragm –identifying in dissection

Answer 3

phrenic nerve

Question 4

Describe tracheal structure + name portions

Answer 4

The trachea is rigid but flexible and extensile. It goes trachea to bronchi (and here lies the carina), secondary, tertiary… then bronchioles which have no cartilage.

Question 5

Name and identifying in gross lab the lobes of the lungs

Answer 5

Right lung: Cranial, caudal, middle (not in equine), and accessory. left lung: only cranial and caudal.

Question 6

Discuss the function of lungs, and clinical significance of species
variations

Answer 6

I suppose in fish, they keep you afloat?