Anatomy of the Lungs

Question 1

what are lungs held partially expanded by

Answer 1

negative pressure in pleural cavity

Question 2

what is the post surface landmark for the inf boundary of the lung

what is the anterior surface landmark for the inf boundary of the lung substance

Answer 2

T10 spinous process is the posterior surface landmark in the back (after a normal exhalation)

the xiphoid process

Question 3

what is pleuritis (pleurisy)

Answer 3

inflammation of the pleurae
-during an infection or other inflammatory problems
lung becomes rough and causes friction cuases “rasping” sound and pain
-popping sound would be caused by fluid in the lungs themselves, not the lung lining

Question 4

what is mesothelioma

Answer 4

a unique cancer
mesothelial cells are the ones lining the parietal and visceral pleura and are responsible for making the fluid btwen the layers.
-about 30 years after a person has been exposed to asbestos, their mesothelia cells may develop cancer

Question 5

how many lobes does the lung have on the right? left? which lung is larger?
what is the lingula?

Answer 5

3 on right and 2 on left (bc heart)

• right is larger
• homologous region of the left lung, equivalent of the middle lobe on the right and near cardiac notch

Question 6

vessels, nerves, and bronchi enter lung at what?

Answer 6

hilum from mediastinum

Question 7

what are the 3 regions that the pharynx is divided into

Answer 7

naso (behind the nasal cavity but above the soft palate)
oro (behind the tongue)
laryngopharynx (area above the epiglottis)

Question 8

why are we more likely to get something stuck int eh right lung?

Answer 8

right primary bronchus enters right lung higher and steeper than left primary bronchus enters left lung so if aspirate something, go to right

Question 9

where is the branch point for the bronchial tree?

Answer 9

carina

• branches into right/left primary bronchi
• 3 brances on the right and 2 on the left

Question 10

what are the bronchopulmonary segements?

what is the clinical significance

Answer 10

10 on the right and 8 on the left
-each is served by its own bronchus, artery, and vein and is surrounded by cxt tissue

clinical significance: a diseased segment can be surgically removed relatively easily

Question 11

on a normal chest x ray, what is the color of the air

Answer 11

black

Question 12

during expiration, how is the 7th rib located comapred to during inspiration

Answer 12

lower

Question 13

what is the valsalva maneuver

Answer 13

when you simulatneously forcefully attempt to exhale but close your airway block air from coming out

Question 14

what is the hilus/hilum

what is the hilum of the lung

Answer 14

the main part of an organ where vessels enter/leave

-lymph nodes

Question 15

what is sarcoidosis

Answer 15

a systemic infections disease in which the lymph nodes of the hilar region enlarge
-nodules are also seen in the retina

Question 16

the diaphragm is the most imporant muscle of respiration, although….

• what is it innervated by?
• the central tendon of the diaphragm surrounds what?

Answer 16

one could technically breathe w/o it

• C3-5
• superior vena cava

Question 17

what pierce the diaphragm at these levels:
T8
T10
T12

Answer 17

inf vena cava
esophagus (and vagus nerve)
aorta

Question 18

how does the phrenic nerve innervate the diaphragm/

Answer 18

from beneath

Question 19

the diaphragm contains central tendon that lies…

Answer 19

below the heart andhas no bony attachments

-the tendon contains the foramen for the inf vena cava

Question 20

what is the costo-diaphragmatic recess

Answer 20

there will always be a certain amt of pleural space in this region at the bottom distal side of the lungs bc the lungs dont fit perfectly in the body wall
-vary in size depending on if breathing in or out