Structure of the Lungs, Bronchi, and Pleura Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Structure of the Lungs, Bronchi, and Pleura Deck (49)
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1
Q

What does the conducting zone include?

A
\+ Nose, nasal cavity and sinuses
\+ Nasopharynx and soft palate
\+ Pharynx
\+ Larynx
\+ Bronchi 
\+ Bronchioles
2
Q

Describe the structure of the trachea

A

+ C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage

+ Supports a fibro-elastic and muscular air-transport tube

+ Trachealis muscle (posteriorly positioned) alters tracheal diameter

3
Q

Where is the trachea located?

A

+ Palpable anteriorly
+ Above suprasternal notch
+ Starts at C6
+ Ends at T4/5 (sternal angle) at carina

4
Q

What is the role of the trachea?

A

+ Connects the mouth and nose to the lungs

+ Transports air via the mouth and nose to the lungs

5
Q

What is the difference between the left and right lung concerning lobes?

A

+ Left lung has 2 lobes

+ Right lunch has 3 lobes

6
Q

Describe the main bronchus of the right lung in comparison to the left lung

A

+ Slightly more vertical
+ Shorter
+ Wider

7
Q

Describe the main bronchus of the left lung in comparison to the right lung

A

+ Slightly less vertical
+ Longer
+ Narrower

8
Q

What is more likely to happen to the right lung, and why?

A

Foreign bodies are more likely to enter the right lung due to the size and shape of the main bronchus

9
Q

What structures are the result of the main bronchus diverging in the left lung?

A

+ Left superior lobar bronchus

+ Left inferior lobar bronchus

10
Q

What structures are the result of the main bronchus diverging in the right lung?

A

+ Right superior lobar bronchus
+ Right middle lobar bronchus
+ Right inferior lobar bronchus

11
Q

What does each lobar bronchus divide into?

A

Segmental bronchi

12
Q

Via which blood vessels are the bronchi supplied with oxygenated blood?

A

Bronchial arteries

13
Q

What is the sequence of division of the bronchi, before becoming alveoli?

A
Bronchi 
> conducting bronchioles 
> terminal bronchioles 
> respiratory bronchioles 
> alveoli
14
Q

What type of epithelium is present in the trachea?

A

Pseudostratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium with goblet cells (for mucous secretion)

15
Q

What type of epithelium is present in bronchi?

A

Pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium but the height is more decreased (flattened) compared to the trachea.

16
Q

What happens as the bronchi branch into the lungs?

A

The C-shaped cartilage rings are replaced by cartilage plates

17
Q

What type of epithelium is present in the bronchioles?

A

Ciliated, columnar (thinner/flatter)

18
Q

Describe the structure of the bronchioles as they form?

A

+ Surrounding band of smooth muscle

+ Cartilage and bands disappear

+ Bronchiole is held open by surrounding lung tissue

19
Q

What happens to the smooth muscle of the bronchiole in asthma?

A

The smooth muscle in the wall may excessively narrow the lumen

20
Q

What epithelia are present in terminal and respiratory bronchioles?

A

Non-ciliated, cuboidal (thinner and flatter) and goblet cells disappear

21
Q

What are alveoli?

A

Basic structural and functional unit of the lung where gaseous exchange takes place

22
Q

Where are alveoli found?

A

+ As outpocketings of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs

23
Q

How are alveoli separated from one another?

A

By septae (alveolar walls): a thin membrane containing capillaries

24
Q

What is the function of septae?

A

+ To separate alveoli from one another

+ Act as the air-blood barrier for gas exhcange

25
Q

What are pleura?

A

Membranes which cover/line the organs within a cavity as well as the cavity walls

26
Q

What is the pleural cavity?

A

+ The space between the layers of pleura

27
Q

What does the pleural cavity contain?

A

Fluid to lubricate the pleural surfaces allowing for smooth, gliding movements between the surfaces

28
Q

What is the pleura covering the lungs referred to as?

A

Visceral/pulmonary pleura

29
Q

What are the parietal pleura?

A

Membranes which cover/line the cavity walls

30
Q

What are the different parietal pleura?

A

+ Cervical
+ Costal
+ Diaphragmatic
+ Mediastinal

31
Q

How are the lungs separated?

A

By the mediastnum

32
Q

Why is the left lung slight longer and narrower than the right?

A

To make room for the heart and pericardium

33
Q

What area the structural landmarks of the left lung?

A
\+ Apex
\+ Oblique fissure
\+ Cardiac notch
\+ Lingula
\+ Superior lobe
\+ Inferior lobe
34
Q

What is the hilum?

A

+The ‘root of the lung’

+ Where structures pass into and out of the lung

35
Q

What structures pass in and out of the lung via the hilum?

A

+ Main bronchus
+ Pulmonary artery
+ Pulmonary veins

36
Q

What are the structural landmarks of the right lung?

A
\+ Apex
\+ Horizontal/transverse fissure
\+ Oblique fissure
\+ Superior lobe
\+ Middle Lobe
\+ Inferior lobe
37
Q

Why is the right lung slightly wider but shorter than the left lung?

A

Mainly sue to the right dome of the diaphragm being higher on the left side

38
Q

Where is the apex of the lungs and pleura with regards to surface anatomy?

A

Above the clavicle

39
Q

Inferiorly, where does the pleura and the lungs extend to, with regards to surface anatomy?

A

+ The pleura extends down to the costal margin

+ The lungs end 2 rib spaces higher

40
Q

How does respiration vary?

A

+ Respiration varies from quiet during rest through to a range of forced respirations during severe exercise or respiratory distress

41
Q

How does air get sucked into the lungs via the trachea and larynx?

A

Inhalation/inspiration must increase the diameters of the thorax to create a negative pressure

42
Q

What does diaphragmatic contraction do?

A

It causes decent, increasing its vertical diameter

43
Q

What does elevation of the ribs (with assistance from intercostal muscles) achieve?

A

+ Pushes the sternum up and forwards
+ Pushes the ribs out
+ Increases the anteroposterior and lateral diameters

44
Q

How is exhalation/expiration achieved?

A

By muscle relaxation (passive) and elastic recoil (remember high amount of elastic tissue in lungs and bronchi)

45
Q

Describe the features of the diaphragm

A

+ Muscular at its periphery
+ Tendinous centrally
+ Left and right domes

46
Q

From where does the motor and sensory supply come from?

A

Phrenic nerve (C3,4,5)

47
Q

What is a pneumothorax?

A

A collapsed lung

48
Q

How does a pneumothorax occur?

A

When air enters into the pleural cavity

49
Q

When dealing with a pneumothorax, why is the needle inserted just above the rib?

A

To avoid the neurovascular bundle that runs inferior to each rib