2. Lungs and pleura Flashcards
What type of membrane is the pleura?
Serous
Purpose of the pleura?
Separates organ from exterior
2 layers of the pleural sac
visceral and parietal
what is the mediastinum
covering over the heart, vessels etc, which is in between the lungs
what organ attaches to the visceral pleura?
lungs
what lies between the 2 pleural membranes?
pleural fluid
Name for space below the visceral pleural membrane of the inferior lung
costodiaphragmatic recess
Function of recess
Allows space for lungs to expand in forced expiration
what bones does the parietal pleura cover?
the thoracic cage
what would occur if the pleura was damaged?
punctured lung
term for air in pleural cavity
pneumothorax
term for blood in pleural cavity
haemothorax
definiton of chylothorax
lymph fluid in pleural cavity
definition of empyema
pus in the pleural cavity
how can abnormal substances in the pleural cavity be removed?
chest drain
Nerve supply to the visceral pleura
- sensory fibres detect stretch
- Autonomic - pulmonary plexus
what is the pulmonary plexus?
a network of nerves derived from the sympathetic trunk and vagus nerve
Which pleura of the lung is sensitive to pain?
only parietal
which nerves innervate the parietal pleura?
Phrenic and intercostal nerve
what is referred pain?
pain felt in another part of the body other than its actual source
Irritation of the parietal pleura produced referred pain in the…. (2)
- Thoracic wall
- abdominal wall
- shoulder
in terms of referred pain, how is pain caused to the thoracic-abdominal wall from the parietal pleura?
Intercostal nerves
in terms of referred pain, how is pain caused to the shoulder from the parietal pleura?
phrenic nerve
how many lobes does the right lung have?
3
how many lobes does the left lung have?
2
what are the lung lobes partially separated by?
fissures
Name of lobes on the right lung
- superior lobe
- middle lobe
- inferior lobe
name of fissures on the right lung
horizontal fissure (top) oblique fissure
name of fissure on the left lung
oblique fissure
Name of indentation on the left lung from the heart
cardiac notch
what 4 tubes/vessels make up the lung roots
- 2 x pulmonary veins
- pulmonary artery
- bronchus
where do the lungs roots run from
the heart to the hilus of the lungs
where do the bronchial arteries originate?
thoracic aorta
what do the bronchial arteries supply?
Lungs
2 diseases which cause a bronchus to be obstructed?
- bronchogenic carcinoma
2. obstructive lung diseases
why is a chest x-ray taken PA rather than AP?
PA is easier to see as the heart shadow size is smaller
when may an AP CXR be taken?
In patients who cannot sit upright
Why are chest x-rays normally taken in full inspiration?
lungs are fully expanded
what 2 blood vessels of the Right border of the heart can be seen in a CXR?
- sup. vena cava
- inf. vena cava
what 2 blood vessels of the left border of the heart can be seen in a CXR?
- aorta
- pulmonary artery
why do lung hilia appear radio-opaque?
they are filled with blood & have thick walls
On an CXR, how will it look different with a pneumothorax?
more white areas
what is a simple pneumothorax?
non-expanding collection of air
what is a tension pneumothorax?
progressive build up of air
why should a tension pneumothorax never be seen (2)?
- diagnosis is clinical
- patient may die with an xray
which primary bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical?
Right side
which is the first rib to attach to the sternum?
2nd rib
most superior surface of the lung pleura?
cervical pleura
location of the apex of the lungs
most superior of lungs
how is the primary bronchi identifiable on the lung hilum?
cartilaginous rings
Name of the small black dots on the lung hilum
hilar lymph nodes
role of hilar lymph nodes
filter out carbon from inspired air
