33 - Respiratory System Histology Flashcards
Describe the pulmonary, visceral and parietal pleura
Pulmonary pleurae
- The two pleurae of the invaginated sac surrounding each lung and attaching to the thoracic cavity
Visceral pleura
- The delicate serous membrane that covers the surface of each lung and dips into the fissures between the lobes
Parietal pleura
- The parietal pleura is the outer membrane which is attached to the inner surface of the thoracic cavity.
Describe the superior surface of the lung (apex)
Extends 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the clavicle and occupies the medial 1/3 of each clavicle
This is the level of C7 in the spine
Describe how we measure the inferior surface of the lung
Since the visceral pleura is attached to the lung, they have the same inferior surface
The inferior surfaces get a little complicated… First remember that we will determine the inferior limit of the lung by the rib level it extends to. Since the ribs originate at the spinal cord and angle downward toward the belly button, there will be three different levels depending upon where you are measuring from
1st number: midclavicular line
2nd number: midaxillary line
3rd number: paravertebral line
What is the inferior surface of the viscera/lung
Midclavicular line = 6
Midaxillary line = 8
Paravertebral line = 10
What is the inferior surface of the parietal pleura
Midclavicular line = 8
Midaxillary line = 10
Paravertebral line = 12
What is a pneumothorax?
Air (collapsed lung)
An abnormal collection of air or gas in the pleural space that causes an uncoupling of the lung from the chest wall.
What is a hemothorax?
Blood
A collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity)
What is a chylothorax?
Lymph
- A type of pleural effusion which results from lymph formed in the digestive system (called “chyle”) which accumulates in the pleural cavity
- This is due to either disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct
What is a hydrothorax?
Serous fluid
A type of pleural effusion in which serous fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity
What is a thorecentesis?
- Procedure to obtain a sample of pleural fluid to determine the cause of pleural effusion
Where do you insert a needle to perform a thoracentesis?
- Place the patient in the seated position and have them lean forward
- Puncture site between the 7th, 8th, or 9th intercostal spaces. Optimal site may be confirmed by ultrasound
What do you need to remember when inserting a needle in between the ribs?
The neurovascular bundle is located between the ribs
It is attached to the bottom of each rib
Where is the superior primary sulcus located?
The concave portion of the thoracic cavity wall - the part that is lined by parietal pleura
What is the name of the tumor that grows in the superior primary sulcus?
Pancoast tumor
Describe a pancoast tumor
A tumor of the pulmonary apex. It is a type of lung cancer defined primarily by its location situated at the top end of either the right or left lung. It typically spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae.
Describe how a pancoast tumor leads to sympathetic complications
This is a characteristic of pancoast tumors
- Compression of a sympathetic ganglion (Stellate ganglion)
- Resulting in a range of symptoms known as Horner’s syndrome
What is Horner’s syndrome?
It is characterized by:
- Miosis (a constricted pupil)
- Ptosis (a weak, droopy eyelid)
- Apparent anhidrosis (decreased sweating)
- With or without enophthalmus (inset eyeball)
Describe how a pancoast tumor leads to complications with the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels
The growing tumor can cause compression of the brachiocephalic plexus and subclavian plexus
Which lung is larger (more massive)?
Right lung
- Right lung has 3 lobes
- Left lung has 2 lobes
What are the lobes and fissures that exist in the right lung?
Lobes
- Superior
- Middle
- Inferior
Fissures
- Oblique
- Horizontal
What are the lobes and fissures that exist in the left lung?
Lobes
- Superior
- Inferior
Fissure
- Oblique
What is unique about the left lung?
It has a “tongue” called a lingula
A 32-year-old woman has pneumonia of the middle lobe. Where would you place your stethoscope to listen to
sounds from the middle lobe (all choices are on the right)?
4th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Note that you CANNOT hear the middle lobe from the back - only upper and lower lobes can be heard on the back
What are bronchopulmonary segments?
Divisions of the lungs where each segment contains an anatomically anatomically separate arterial, venous, and bronchial supply
What is the clinical significance of bronchopulmonary segments?
Each distinct component may be surgically resected without harming the other components
How many bronchopulmonary segments are there in each lung?
Right = 10 Left = 8
What is the hilum of the lung?
The “doorway” to the lung
The surface of the lung where structures such as blood vessels and nerves enter (mediastinal surface)
Where is the airway situated anatomically in relation to the pulmonary artery, which is bringing deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs?
It is different depending on which lung you are looking at
Remember the mnemonic RALS
What does RALS stand for
Right lung
Anterior artery
Left lung
Superior artery
This means that in the right lung, the pulmonary artery is anterior to the bronchus (airway)
In the left lung, the pulmonary artery is superior to the bronchus (airway)
What are the components of the conducting airway?
- Everything upstream of the respiratory bronchioles
- Both extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary sections