Anatomy of the thorax Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are the types of ribs in the thoracic skeleton?
True ribs (1–7): Directly attached to sternum
False ribs (8–10): Attached to rib above
Floating ribs (11–12): No anterior attachment
What is the function of the lungs?
Oxygenate blood
Where are the lungs located?
On either side of the mediastinum, surrounded by pleural cavities
What is the shape of the lungs?
Half cone with apex (top) and base (bottom)
3 surfaces: Costal, Mediastinal, Diaphragmatic; 3 borders: Anterior, Posterior, Inferior
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3 lobes (Superior, Middle, Inferior) with 2 fissures (Oblique & Horizontal)
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 lobes (Superior, Inferior) with 1 fissure (Oblique), cardiac notch, and lingula
What is the hilum of the lungs?
Entry/exit for bronchi, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves
What does the root of the lung include?
Primary bronchus, pulmonary artery & veins, bronchial arteries & veins, lymphatics, nerves (pulmonary plexus)
What is the parietal pleura?
Lines thoracic cavity and is pain-sensitive
What is the visceral pleura?
Covers lungs and is not pain-sensitive
What is the pleural cavity?
Space between pleura layers containing serous fluid
What pathologies are associated with the pleura?
Air = Pneumothorax
Blood = Haemothorax
Fluid = Pleural effusion
What is the airway pathway?
Trachea → Main bronchi → Lobar bronchi → Segmental bronchi → Conducting bronchioles → Terminal bronchioles → Respiratory bronchioles
Where does the trachea start and end?
Starts at C6 (cricoid cartilage) and ends at T4–T5 (carina)
What is the length and width of the trachea?
~10–12 cm long, ~2 cm wide
What type of epithelium lines the trachea?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium (goblet cells)
What is the structure of the trachea?
C-shaped cartilage rings (posteriorly joined by trachealis muscle)
How many primary bronchi are there?
1 per lung
How many secondary (lobar) bronchi are there?
Right = 3, Left = 2
What are bronchopulmonary segments?
Functional units of the lung with each segment having its own segmental bronchus, pulmonary & bronchial artery branch, and intersegmental pulmonary vein
Right Lung: 10 segments; Left Lung: 8–10 segments
What are bronchioles?
Branch from segmental bronchi and lead to alveoli
What are the functions of bronchioles?
Air conduction, smooth muscle adjusts airflow, contains club cells for protection, secretes surfactant-like proteins
What is the pulmonary circulation?
Gas exchange with pulmonary arteries carrying deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs and pulmonary veins carrying oxygenated blood from lungs to heart
What is the bronchial circulation?
Nourishment with bronchial arteries & veins
