Lungs and Pleurae

Question 1

What are the main anatomical divisions of the lungs?

Answer 1

The lungs are divided into right and left lungs.

Question 2

What is the function of the lungs?

Answer 2

The lungs facilitate gas exchange by oxygenating blood and removing carbon dioxide.

Question 3

What are the surfaces of the lungs, and what structures do they relate to?

Answer 3

The surfaces include the costal, mediastinal, and diaphragmatic surfaces, relating to the ribs, heart, and diaphragm, respectively.

Question 4

What are the borders of the lungs?

Answer 4

The lungs have anterior, inferior, and posterior borders.

Question 5

What are the lobes and fissures of the right lung?

Answer 5

The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior) separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures.

Question 6

What are the lobes and fissures of the left lung?

Answer 6

The left lung has two lobes (superior and inferior) separated by the oblique fissure.

Question 7

Why does the left lung have fewer lobes than the right lung?

Answer 7

The left lung has fewer lobes to accommodate the heart.

Question 8

What is the lingula, and where is it located?

Answer 8

The lingula is a small tongue-like projection on the anterior part of the left lung.

Question 9

What structures form the root of the lung?

Answer 9

The root of the lung contains the main bronchus, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymphatics, and nerves.

Question 10

What is the hilum of the lung, and what structures pass through it?

Answer 10

The hilum is the central area where the root structures enter and leave the lung.

Question 11

How can you distinguish the right and left lung by examining the hilum?

Answer 11

The right lung hilum has the bronchus posterior, the artery anterior, and veins inferior, while the left lung has the artery superior to the bronchus.

Question 12

What is the bronchial tree, and how does it branch?

Answer 12

The bronchial tree consists of progressively smaller airways, from the trachea to bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Question 13

What is the functional difference between the conducting and respiratory zones of the lungs?

Answer 13

The conducting zone transports air, while the respiratory zone is involved in gas exchange.

Question 14

What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi?

Answer 14

Primary bronchi supply each lung, secondary bronchi supply each lobe, and tertiary bronchi supply bronchopulmonary segments.

Question 15

What are bronchopulmonary segments, and why are they clinically significant?

Answer 15

Bronchopulmonary segments are independent lung units important in segmental resections.

Question 16

How many bronchopulmonary segments are in each lung?

Answer 16

The right lung has 10 bronchopulmonary segments, and the left lung has 8-10.

Question 17

What is the blood supply to the lungs?

Answer 17

The lungs receive blood from the pulmonary arteries (deoxygenated) and bronchial arteries (oxygenated).

Question 18

What is the venous drainage of the lungs?

Answer 18

Pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the heart; bronchial veins drain into the azygos system.

Question 19

What is the nerve supply of the lungs?

Answer 19

The lungs receive autonomic innervation from the pulmonary plexus, with parasympathetic input from the vagus nerve and sympathetic input from the sympathetic trunk.

Question 20

What are the lymphatic drainage pathways of the lungs?

Answer 20

Lymphatic drainage occurs via intrapulmonary, hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Question 21

What are the two layers of the pleura?

Answer 21

The pleura consists of visceral and parietal layers.

Question 22

What is the function of pleural fluid?

Answer 22

Pleural fluid reduces friction during breathing.

Question 23

What is the pleural cavity, and why is it important?

Answer 23

The pleural cavity is the space between the visceral and parietal pleura containing pleural fluid.

Question 24

What is the difference between the visceral and parietal pleura?

Answer 24

The visceral pleura covers the lungs, while the parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity.

Question 25

What are the pleural recesses, and what is their clinical significance?

Answer 25

The pleural recesses (costodiaphragmatic and costomediastinal) allow lung expansion during deep breathing.

Question 26

What is the innervation of the parietal pleura?

Answer 26

The parietal pleura is innervated by the intercostal and phrenic nerves and is pain-sensitive.

Question 27

What is the innervation of the visceral pleura?

Answer 27

The visceral pleura is innervated by autonomic nerves and is not pain-sensitive.

Question 28

What are the consequences of pleural effusion?

Answer 28

Pleural effusion can impair breathing and cause lung compression.

Question 29

What are the different types of pleural effusions?

Answer 29

Types of pleural effusions include transudative (heart failure) and exudative (infection, malignancy).

Question 30

What is a pneumothorax, and how does it occur?

Answer 30

A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse.

Question 31

What are the clinical signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax?

Answer 31

Symptoms include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.

Question 32

What is a tension pneumothorax, and why is it a medical emergency?

Answer 32

Tension pneumothorax causes mediastinal shift, reducing venous return and cardiac output.

Question 33

How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?

Answer 33

It is diagnosed with chest X-ray or ultrasound.

Question 34

What is the role of the diaphragm in lung expansion?

Answer 34

The diaphragm contracts to create negative pressure, expanding the lungs.

Question 35

How do the lungs receive oxygenated blood for their metabolic needs?

Answer 35

The bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to lung tissue.

Question 36

How does the pulmonary circulation differ from the systemic circulation?

Answer 36

Pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while systemic circulation supplies oxygen to tissues.

Question 37

What is the role of surfactant in the lungs?

Answer 37

Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, preventing collapse.

Question 38

What is atelectasis, and what causes it?

Answer 38

Atelectasis is alveolar collapse due to airway obstruction or surfactant deficiency.

Question 39

What are the common causes of lung collapse?

Answer 39

Causes include airway obstruction, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion.

Question 40

What is the difference between a pulmonary embolism and a pulmonary infarction?

Answer 40

A pulmonary embolism is a clot in the pulmonary artery, which may cause infarction if blood flow is blocked.

Question 41

How does the pleura contribute to the mechanics of breathing?

Answer 41

The pleura ensures smooth lung expansion by reducing friction.

Question 42

What are the different types of lung lobectomies and their indications?

Answer 42

Lobectomies remove lung lobes for conditions like cancer.

Question 43

What is pleuritis (pleurisy), and what are its symptoms?

Answer 43

Pleuritis (pleurisy) is pleural inflammation causing sharp chest pain.

Question 44

What is the function of alveoli in gas exchange?

Answer 44

Alveoli facilitate oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange via diffusion.

Question 45

What are the anatomical differences between the right and left main bronchi?

Answer 45

The right bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical, making it more prone to aspiration.

Question 46

How does the tracheobronchial tree filter and humidify inspired air?

Answer 46

The airway epithelium traps particles and humidifies air.

Question 47

What are the structural adaptations of alveoli that facilitate gas exchange?

Answer 47

Alveoli have thin walls and a large surface area to optimize diffusion.

Question 48

What is the carina, and what is its clinical significance?

Answer 48

The carina is the bifurcation of the trachea, sensitive to irritation, triggering coughing.

Question 49

How do diseases like COPD affect lung structure and function?

Answer 49

COPD leads to airway narrowing, mucus overproduction, and alveolar damage.

Question 50

What are common imaging techniques used to assess lung anatomy and pathology?

Answer 50

Imaging includes chest X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound.