Thorax: Pleurae And Lungs

Question 1

Two types of pleura

Answer 1

Parietal pleura: covers the pleural cavity.
Visceral pleura: covers the lungs.

Question 2

What do we call the potential space between the visceral and parietal pleurae and what role does it play?

Answer 2

Pleural cavity/space space, it is responsible for reducing friction during respiratory movements.

Question 3

Four parts of the parietal pleura

Answer 3

Diaphragmatic pleura
Costal pleura
Mediastinal pleura
Cervical pleura (capula)

Question 4

What is the membrane that covers the superior cervical pleura?

Answer 4

Suprapleural membrane

Question 5

What are the lateral, posterior and superior attachments of the suprapleural membrane?

Answer 5

Laterally attached to the medial margin of the first rib, posteriorly attached to the transverse process of C7, and receives muscle fibers from the deep neck muscles which keep the membrane taut (superiorly).

Question 6

At which vertebral level does the mediastinal pleura reflect?

Answer 6

T5-T7

Question 7

Explain the innervation for parietal pleura

Answer 7

-Has somatic afferent fibers
•Intercostal nerves: diaphragmatic, costal and cervical pleurae.
•Phrenic nerves: mediastinal and diaphragmatic pleurae.
-Sensitive to pain, temperature and pressure.

Question 8

Explain the innervation of visceral pleura

Answer 8

-Has visceral afferent fibers
•Pulmonary plexus (sympathetic trunks and vagus nerves)
-Sensitive to stretching.

Question 9

In which level is the pleural cavity at the:
A. Midclavicular line
B. Midaxillary line
C. Vertebral column

Answer 9

A. Rib 8
B. Rib 10
C. T12

Question 10

What are the two pleural recesses we have?

Answer 10

Costomediastinal recess
Costodiaphragmatic recess

Question 11

In which level is the inferior margin of the lung at:
A. Midclavicular line
B. Midaxillary line
C. Vertebral column

Answer 11

A. Rib 6
B. Rib 8
C. T10

Question 12

Differences btwn the right and left main bronchi

Answer 12

Left
-Longer, narrower and courses more horizontally.
Right
-Shorter, wider and courses more vertically.

Question 13

Differences btwn the right and left lobar bronchi

Answer 13

Left
-Has two bronchi, superior and inferior.
Right
-Has three, superior, middle and inferior.

Question 14

Three surfaces of the lungs

Answer 14

Diaphragmatic surface
Costal surface
Mediastinal surface

Question 15

Three borders of the lungs

Answer 15

Anterior, posterior and inferior borders

Question 16

How are the structures of the borders

Answer 16

Anterior and inferior are sharp
Posterior is smooth and rounded

Question 17

Components of the root of the lung

Answer 17

Main bronchi, 2 pulmonary veins, pulmonary artery, bronchial vessels, lymphatics and nerves.

Question 18

Relations of the root of the lung

Answer 18

Anteriorly: Phrenic nerves
Posteriorly: Vagus nerves

Question 19

Position of the oblique fissure of the right lung

Answer 19

-Begins at T4 spinous process
-Crosses the 5th intercostal space laterally.
-Follows curve of rib 6 anteriorly.

Question 20

Position of the horizontal fissures (2)

Answer 20

Follows the 4th intercostal space from sternum.
Crosses rib 5 upon meeting with the oblique fissure.

Question 21

Position of the oblique fissure of the left lung

Answer 21

-Begin btwn the spinous processes of T3 and T4.
-Crosses the 5th intercostal space laterally.
-Follows the curve of 6th rib anteriorly.

Question 22

Two additional structures in the left lung only

Answer 22

Cardiac notch and lingula

Question 23

In which lobe is the lingula found?

Answer 23

Superior lobe

Question 24

Arterial supply to the lungs

Answer 24

-2 bronchial arteries on the left and 1 bronchial artery on the right.

Question 25

Where do the left bronchial arteries arise from?

Answer 25

Thoracic aorta

Question 26

Where do the right bronchial artery arise from?

Answer 26

Normally from the 3rd posterior intercostal artery.
Occasionally from the superior left bronchial artery.

Question 27

Venous drainage is through which veins?

Answer 27

Bronchial veins

Question 28

Innervation of the lungs

Answer 28

Pulmonary plexus

Question 29

Lymphatic drainage of the lungs

Answer 29

Tracheobronchial lymph nodes