Basic anatomy

Question 1

Describe the development of the respiratory system. (1)

Answer 1

Begins as a diverticulum of the pharynx and GI tract.

Question 2

Describe the function of the nasal cavity with relation to the respiratory system. (5)

Answer 2

Induced turbulent air flow, moisten and warm through conchae.
Also involved in speech, smell and water recovery from air exhaled.

Question 3

Describe the boundaries of the thoracic cavity. (4)

Answer 3

Inferior: diaphragm
Posterior: 12 thoracic vertebrae.
Anterior: sternum and costal cartilages.
Lateral: rise.

Question 4

Describe the articulations of ribs. (3)

Answer 4

Two facets on the head that articulate with Demi-facets on vertebrae.
One facet on the neck which articulated with the articular facets on the vertebrae. Synovial joints to allow movement.

Question 5

Describe the bucket handle movement of the chest. (3)

Answer 5

With inspiration, the chest moves up and out. This encourages the ribs to swing up and straighten out like a bucket handle, which increases the lateral diameter of the chest.

Question 6

Describe the pump handle movement of the chest. (3)

Answer 6

The spine remains still but the sternum with the ribs attached moves up and out then down and in. How the anteroposterior diameter increases.

Question 7

Describe the position of the diaphragm at rest and at the end of inspiration. (3)

Answer 7

On the left it sits at the 5th intercostal space being pushed down my the heart.
On the right it sits at the 4th intercostal space being pushed up by the liver.
Moves down two spaces in inspiration.

Question 8

Explain why diaphragmatic irritation can cause referred shoulder pain. (5)

Answer 8

Motor and sensory supplied by the phrenic nerve which is C3 C4 C5 (keeps the diaphragm alive). This is because it begins development in the neck and stretched its nerve supply. This means that diaphragmatic irritation can cause referred pain in the neck and shoulder because of the cervical nerve roots.

Question 9

Describe the three things that pass through the diaphragm and at what level they pass through (3)

Answer 9

Vena cave - T8
Oesophagus - T10
Aortic hiatus - T12

Question 10

Describe accessory muscles of respiration. (2)

Answer 10

Pec major - fixes humerus so thorax becomes the mobile insertion.
SCM - purses lips, fixes head.

Question 11

Describe the direction of the fibres of the intercostal muscles. (3)

Answer 11

External run down and anteriorly
Internal run down and posteriorly
Innermost are similar to internal.

Question 12

Describe the neurovascular structures of the intercostal muscles. (4)

Answer 12

Intercostal artery, nerve and vein.
Run on the inferior surface of the rib (superior in the space).
Veins drain into the Azygos vein.

Question 13

Describe the purpose of the Azygos vein. (2)

Answer 13

Intercostal veins can’t drain into the vena cava because there isn’t one where they exist because the heart is there.

Question 14

Explain the differences between the the right and left lung. (3)

Answer 14

Right lung has three lobes, left has two.

Right bronchi is vertical, left is at a much steeper angle - all the inhaled things go into the right lung.

Question 15

Describe the differences between the visceral and parietal pleura. (4)

Answer 15

Visceral - attached to lung and autonomic innervations

Parietal - attached to chest wall and phrenic/intercostal innervation

Question 16

Describe the position of the apex and the costophrenic recess. (4)

Answer 16

Apex of the lung is behind the collarbone.
Costophrenic recess is the bottom of the lung where until inspiration there is only two folds of pleura no lung. Where a pleural effusion accumulates.

Question 17

Describe the blood supply to the lungs. (4)

Answer 17

Bronchial arteries (oxygenated) supply the bronchial tree, pulmonary arteries (deoxygenated) supply the alveoli
Most drainage through pulmonary veins into left atrium. Some through bronchial veins into Azygos vein.