Anatomy of Lungs Flashcards
Epithelium of the trachea is continuous with what?
Larynx
Where does the trachea begin?
Anterior to C6 vertebrae
In a ligamentous attachment to cricoid cartilage
Ends in mediastinum, Level with T5 vertebrae
What does the trachea branch into?
Right and left primary bronchi
Layers of trachea from deep to superficial?
Mucosa Sub-mucosa Tracheal cartilages Trachealis Muscle Adventitia
Describe the mucosa of the trachea?
Resembles nasal cavity and nasopharynx
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium- ciliated columnar cells and goblet cells
Underlying layer of elastic and reticular fibers
Describe the sub-mucosa of the trachea?
Thick layer of connective tissue
Surrounds mucosa
Contains mucous glands - secretory ducts in epithelial tissue
Describe the tracheal cartilages?
C-shaped
Open portion faces oesophagus - allows for distortion when swallowing
How many tracheal cartilages?
15-20
Role of tracheal cartilages?
Stiffen tracheal wall and protect airways
Prevent collapse or over expansion
Describe trachealis muscle?
Band of smooth muscle
Contraction reduces diameter of trachea- increases resistance to airflow
What connects the end of each tracheal cartilage?
Trachealis muscle and elastic ligament
What type of stimulation increases the diameter of the trachea?
Sympathetic
What is the carina?
Internal ridge separating 2 bronchi
Which primary bronchi is larger?
Right as it descends at a steeper angle
What is the groove which primary bronchi travel along called?
Hilum
What does the hilum allow to enter?
Pulmonary vessels
Nerves
Lymphatics
How many secondary bronchi?
One for each lobe of the lung
therefore 5
What do secondary bronchi branch into?
bronchioles
which branch into terminal bronchioles
Differences between bronchi and larger bronchioles?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
changes to
Simple columnar epithelium with some goblet cells
Histology of smaller bronchioles?
Ciliated simple cuboidal epithelium with NO goblet cells
Histology of terminal bronchioles?
Nonciliated simple cuboidal epithelium
What replaces incomplete tracheal rings in primary bronchi?
Plates of cartilage - these eventually disappear in distal bronchioles
What increases as cartilage decreases in trachea?
Smooth muscle increases
Which 2 neurotransmitters/hormones relax the smooth muscle which will dilate the airways?
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine