Anatomy of Respiratory WB Flashcards
Where does the Upper Respiratory Tract (URT) extend from and what does it consist of?
URT - from nostrils to lower border of cricoid cartilage of larynx
Contains - Nose, paranasal sinuses, Pharynx, Larynx
What is a nasal concha?
These are bony projections.
Each nasal cavity contains 3 so there is a total of 6 within the nose.
They are also known as Turbinates
What are the paranasal sinuses?
Four air containing cavities lined by respiratory epithelium (pseudoctratified cilliated columnar) which open into the spaces below the concha / turbinates in the nasal cavity
How is a large surface area in the nose created?
By the paranasal sinuses and the turbinates / concha
What is the effect of a large surface area in the nose?
It allows inhaled air to be warmed and humidified. This allows for better gas exchange.
The turbinates also cause turbulence and slow down airflow, increasinf the time for the air to be warmed and humidified.
How are particles trapped when inhaled?
- Corse hair that lines the nostrils.
- Mucus secreted by goblet cells - cillia waft mucus to oropharynx where it is swallowed.
Air and food have a common passage through parts od the pharynx, if the methods to prevent aspiration of food particles goes wrong, what could happen?
Aspiration of food particles or liquid - life threatening obstruction or infection (aspiration pneumonia)
Where is the larynx and what does it contain?
Links pharynx to trachea and contains vocal cords which guard entrance to trachea.
What causes the movement of the vocal cords?
Intrinsic laryngeal muscles which are controlled by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
What are the three parts of the sternum?
- Manubrium
- Body
- Xiphisternum (remains cartilagenous into adult life)
What are the three layers of intercostal muscles?
External, internal and innermost - They are all innevated by the intercostal nerve.
What is the role of the external intercostal muscles?
Responsible for 30% of chest expansion during quiet respiration - Contraction elevates rib in a bucket handle type movement.
What are the roles of the internal and innermost intercostal muscles?
Both pull ribs down from position of chest expansion. Active during forced expiration.
What innervates the diaphragm?
The phrenic nerve
C3,4,5 keeps the diaphragm alive
What is the costo-diaphragmatic recess?
The space into which the lungs don’t extend so, only the parietal pleura is here.
What is the role of the pleura?
The molecules of pleural fluid create a seal which ensures that when the thorax expands in respiration, the lungs expand along with it.
What is the angle between the left and right bronchi known as and why is it significant?
Carina
Significant as sensitive
What is a bronchopulmonary segment and why are they significant?
Area of lung supplied by a segmental bronchus and the accompanying branch of the segmental artery.
Pyramid shaped
Important as they are the smalled resectable divisions of the lung as they can be removed without much bleeding, air leakage or interferance with other segments.
What does the oblique fissure separate?
Separates the right upper and middle lobes from the lower lobes
What does the horizontal fissure separate?
Separates the right upper and middle lobes of the lung
Where is the apex of the lung?
Above the first rib into the root of the neck.
It is closely associated with the subclavian vessels and the brachial plexus. Therefore, tumours of the apex can invove these structres and cause neurological and vascular problems.
What does the medialstinal surface of the lung lie adjacent to on the left?
- Heart
- Aortic arch
- Descending aorta
- Oesophagus
- Nerves
- Phrenic
- Vagus
- Recurrent laryngeal branch
What does the mediastinal surface of the lung lie adjacent to on the right?
- Superior vena cava
- Azygous vein
- Right atrium
- Oesophagus
- Nerves
- Phrenic
- Vagus
- Sympathetic trunk
What is the lymphatic drainage of the lungs?
Lungs drain into the hilar nodes (bronchopulmonary nodes).
Efferents from these nodes run to tracheobrinchial nodes.
Enlarged trachiobronchial nodes can cause widening of the angle of carina.
What do the parasympathetic efferent fibres of the vagus nerve supply?
Motor - bronchial smooth muscle (bronchoconstrictor)
Secretomotor - Mucous glands
Afferent fibres - Cough reflex and subserving pain
What do the sympathetic efferent fibres of the vagus nerve supply?
Bronchodilator and vasoconstrictor
Where does the oblique fissure extend form and to?
Spinous process of T2 posteriorly to 6th costal cartilage anteriorly.
Approx follow medial scapula when arm abducted
Where does the horizontal fissure extend from and to?
Mid auxillary line anterirorly along 4th rib to anterior edge of lung - sepparating right upper and middle lobes
