Anatomy Of The Respiratory System Flashcards
Describe the development of the respiratory system
The respiratory system grows out of the pharynx of the early GI tract and develops as a diverticulum as it continues to split as it grows
What are the bony prominences on the sides of the nasal cavity called and what are their function
The nasal conchae increase the surface area and induce turbulent air flow to maximise the efficiency of gas exchange
What plane is the nasal cavity in
Horizontal plane
What are the functions of the nasal cavity
- speech
- moisten and warm air
- olfaction
- recovery of water from exhaled air
- induce turbulent air flow
What do the Pharynx and larynx collectively do
Prevent food/liquids/air from going into the wrong tube
What do the paranasal sinuses so
Complement the nasal cavities functions
What makes up the larynx
Cartilaginous structure including the vocal cords
What makes up the conducting airways
Trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles
What makes up the respiratory portion of the airway
Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli sacs
How many lobes does the right lung have
3
How many lobes does the left lung have
2
Describe the structure of the trachea
Anterior C shaped cartilage
Lack of cartilage at the back to allow the bolus in the oesophagus to bulge in
Muscles posteriorly to contract and constrict the lumen
How many articulations does each rib have
3; 2 at the head of the rib with a vertebra from above and below and at the costotransverse joint
Which vertebral body does a rib belong to
The vertebra to which its tubercle articulates with
How do the ribs move during inhalation
Out with the sternum and up
What causes the main increase in the size of the thoracic cavity during inhalation
The movement of the diaphragm
What causes the movement of air into the lungs
The increase in volume of the thoracic cavity lowers the pressure inside so air moves in via Boyle’s law
What is the shape of the diaphragm
Domed
What nerve supplies the diaphragm
The phrenic nerve
Why can you get shoulder tip pain due to damage to the diaphragm
As the phrenic nerve supplies innervation to C3/4/5 dermatomes which cover the shoulder
True or false: the diaphragm is under autonomic control
False- its under somatic control
What type of muscle is the diaphragm
Skeletal muscle
What are the 3 layers of intercostal muscles
External, internal and innermost
What do the external intercostal muscles do
Contract to pull the ribs up during inhalation
What do the internal and innermost intercostal muscles do
Contract to pull the ribs down during exhalation
In what direction do the fibres of the intercostal muscles run
External - hands in pocket direction
Internal and innermost - perpendicular
At what level does the vena cava pierce through the diaphragm
T8
At what level does the oesophagus pierce through the diaphragm
T10
At what level does the aortic hiatus pierce through the diaphragm
T12
Name some accessory muscles of respiration
Pec major and sternocleidomastoid
What NVB is found running through the costal groove
Intercostal vein, artery and nerve
Where is the intercostal NVB found
At the bottom edge of the rib
What is the venous drainage system for the intercostal muscles
Azygos drainage system
Where does the Azygos venous system drain into
Superior vena cava
How many lobes does the right lung have
3
How many lobes does the left lung have
2
What are the 2 fissures separating the lobes of the right lung called
Horizontal and oblique
What is the fissure separating the lobes of the left lung called
Oblique
Which lobes of the right lung would you be listening to at the back of the chest
The inferior lobe (as that makes up most of the posterior lung)
Why are foreign bodies more likely to go down the right bronchus
As it is more vertical than the left
Describe the vessels in the hilum of the lung
The airways are posterior
Pulmonary arteries are superior
Pulmonary veins are inferior
What is the mediastinum
The space between the lungs
What structures are found in the superior mediastinum
Trachea, aortic arch
What structures are found in the inferior mediastinum
Heart, descending aorta, oesophagus
What are the 2 layers of pleura called
Parietal and visceral
What is found in the pleural cavity
A fluid which helps the pleura stick together, stopping the lungs from recoiling
What is the costophrenic recess
A space where the pleural cavity reflects - there is no lung tissue found here
What is the purpose of the costophrenic recess
Allows the lungs to inflate during inhalation
What is a pleural effusion
When fluid builds up in a recess of the pleural cavity - this could be from infection, inflammation etc
What arteries supply the lung tissue
Bronchial arteries
Roughly explain where the diaphragm sits
On the left it sits at the level of the 5th ICS but on the right it is at the level of the 4th ICS
