2.3 Pleural Cavities and Mediastinum

Question 1

Identify the Parietal Pleura and the 4 divisions of parietal pleura in the pleural cavity, including the innervation for each. What branch of innervation? (SNS or ANS)

Answer 1

Somatic Innervation.

1. Costal part: Innervated by intercostal nerves. Ventral rami from T1-L1
2. Mediastinal part: phrenic nerve from ventral rami of C3-C5
3. Diaphragmatic part: phrenic nerve from ventral rami of C3-C5.
4. Cervical part (cupula)

Question 2

Identify the Endothoracic fascia. Between what layers does this lie.

Answer 2

It is a layer of fascia between the internal surface of the ribs and the underlying costal pleura

Question 3

Locate and name the Pleural recesses

Answer 3

1. Costodiaphragmatic

2. Costomediastinal

Question 4

Identify the Visceral pleura. Describe what branch of the N.S. it is innervated by (SNS or ANS).
Parasympathetic innervation of the visceral pleura comes from what nerve(s)?
Sympathetic innervation of the visceral pleura comes from what nerve(s)?

Answer 4

1. Parasympathetics via vagus nerve.

2. Sympathetics from spinal nerves T1-L2.

Question 5

Identify the Root of the lung

Answer 5

Where the lung is attached to the mediastinum.