Anatomy of the pleura and lungs Flashcards
What is the embryonic origin of the pleura?
The intraembryonic coelom (coelomic cavity)
What is the pleura?
It is a closed sac, invaginated by the lungs from the medial aspect, which will form the visceral and parietal layers
What is the pulmonary ligament?
It is a downward extension of the pleura as a fold below the root of the lung (hilum)
What is the function of the pulmonary ligament?
- It provides a dead space where the lung root descends with the descent of the diaphragm, and provides the capability for the expansion of the veins during exercise
What is the pleural cavity?
- It is a closed cavity between the parietal and visceral layers, which contains a thin film of fluid “pleural fluid” that encloses the lung
What is meant by pleurisy?
- Inflammation (lack of pleural fluid) of the pleural makes the pleural surface rough, resulting in a pleural rub, which is detectable with a stethoscope
What is the visceral pleura and where is it absent?
- It is the inner layer of the pleura that covers the lung & lines the fissures
- It is absent in:
1) Hilum of the lungs
2) Between the two layers of the pulmonary ligament (made only of the parietal)
What is the parietal pleura and what are its divisions?
- It is the layer of the pleura that lines the chest wall & covers the mediastinum
It is divided into four parts:
1) Costal (cupula)
2) Cervical
3) Mediastinal
4) Diaphragmatic
What is the costal pleura?
- AKA cupula
- It is the part of the parietal pleura that lies the:
1) sternum
2) ribs
3) costal cartilage
4) intercostal
5) sides of the vertebral column
What is the diaphragmatic pleura?
The part of the parietal pleura that covers the diaphragm
What is the cervical pleura?
- The part of the parietal pleura that covers the apex of the lungs
- It is attached anteriorly to the suprapleural membrane (which originates from the transverse process of C7 and T1)
- The suprapleural membrane is like the diaphragm of the thracic inlet
What is the mediastinal pleura?
- The part of the parietal pleura that covers the sides of the mediastinum
What is the endothoracic fascia?
- A connective tissue structure deep into the intercostal spaces and ribs separating these structures from the underlying pleura
What are the pleural recesses
- They are narrow extensions of the pleural cavity (spaces for lung expansion)
- They are made of parietal pleura only and are filled during expansion only
What is the function of the pleural recesses?
They allow the lungs to expand during deep inspiration
Where are the pleural recesses found?
1) Costodiaphragmatic recess
2) Costomediastinal recess
Where is the costodiaphragmatic recess located?
- AKA costophrenic angle (its absence in X-ray = pleural effusion “hydrothorax”)
- It lies between the costal & diaphragmatic pleura along the inferior margin of the pleura
- Most commonly where excess fluid is drained into, due to gravity
Where is the costomediastinal recess located?
- It lies between the costal and mediastinal pleura along the anterior margin of the pleura
- It overlies the heart
- Lies the anterior ends of the 4th and 5th intercostal space
- During full inspiration it becomes occupied with the lingula of the left lung
How do we treat the pleural effusion “hydrothorax” of the costo-diaphragmatic recess?
By thoracocentesis:
- Inserting a needle into the 9th (below the lung but within the pleura) intercostal space in the mid-axillary line, during expiration to avoid the inferior border of the lung
Where does the lower border of the lung end?
- It depends:
1) Midclavicular line (anteriorly): 6th intercostal space
2) Midaxillary line (laterally): 8th intercostal space
3) Posteriorly: 10th intercostal space
What are the pleural lower borders?
1) Midclavicular (anteriorly): 8th intercostal space
2) Midaxillary line (laterally): 10th intercostal space
3) Posteriorly: 12th intercostal space