Anatomy Of The Respiratory System Flashcards
Walls of the thoracic cavity
- anterior: sternum + costal cartilages
- lateral: ribs
- posterior: vertebral bodies
- inferior diaphragm
What are the two analogies of the movement of the chest wall during breathing?
- bucket handle movement
- pump handle movement
Explain the bucket handle movement of the chest wall
Ribs move out laterally to increase lung volume
Explain the pump handle movement
Sternum moves anteriorly + ribs swing up like pump handle to increase lung volume
What are the 3 types of intercostal muscles?
External
Internal
Innermost
What intercostal muscles are used in inspiration?
External intercostal muscle
What intercostal muscles are used in expiration (forced)?
Internal + innermost intercostal muscle
What levels do these structure pass through the diaphragm?
- vena cava
- oesophagus
- aortic hiatus
How can you remember this?
- vena cava: T8
- oesophagus: T10
- aortic hiatus: T12
Number of letters in each
Where should you insert a chest strain?
Why?
- Above the rib
- To avoid hitting the intercostal neurovascular bundles which lie beneath the ribs
Outline venous drainage of the intercostal muscles
Intercostal vein > azygous vein > superior vena cava
What nerve supplies the diaphragm ?
Phrenic nerve C3-5
‘C3,4,5 keeps the diaphragm alive’
Outline the lobes of the lungs
3 right
2 left
What do the oblique and horizontal fissure do?
Separate the lobes of the lungs
What is the area in between the lungs called?
Mediastinum
What spinal level splits the superior + inferior mediastinum?
C4-5
Describe the layout of the hilum of the lungs
- airways: posterior
- branches of pulmonary arteries: superior
- tributaries of pulmonary veins: inferior
What is the costodiaphragmatic recess?
The space where the lungs will expand in inspiration
Outline the blood supply to the lungs
- pulmonary arteries directly from the heart
- bronchial artery directly from the aorta