Anatomy of Chest Wall and Mechanics of Breathing

Question 1

What is the visceral membrane closest to?

Answer 1

The lungs (coats outer surface of lungs)

Question 2

What is the parietal membrane closest to?

Answer 2

The ribcage (coats inner surface of ribcage)

Question 3

What is pleurisy?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the pleura

Question 4

What muscles does inspiration use?

Answer 4

External intercostal muscles and diaphragm (also aided by sternocleidomastoids and scalenes)

Question 5

What muscles does expiration use under severe respiratory load?

Answer 5

Internal intercostal muscles

Question 6

What happens to the thoracic volume during inspiration?

Answer 6

It increases

Question 7

What is a pneumothorax?

Answer 7

Common cause is a penetrating wound to pleural cavity. Sealed cavity is open to atmosphere thus air flows in and the pleural membrane relationship is broken
The lung collapses to unstretched size and can not be expanded

Question 8

What is PA?

Answer 8

Ints-Thoracic (alveolar) pressure
Pressure inside the thoracic cavity
Can be negative or positive

Question 9

What is Pip?

Answer 9

Intra-pleural pressure
Pressure inside the pleural cavity
Always negative in health lungs

Question 10

What is PT?

Answer 10

Transpulmonary pressure
Difference between alveolar and intra-pleural pressure
Always positive in health