Bronchi, Lungs, Pleura and Diaphragm

Question 1

What vertebral level does the trachea start and end at?

Answer 1

C6 to T4/T5

Question 2

What is the name of the hooked cartilage at the bottom of the trachea?

Answer 2

Carina

Question 3

What are the three divisions of the bronchi?

Answer 3

Primary - Lobar – Segmental

Question 4

What are the cartilaginous structures found at the top of the airway?

Answer 4

Thyroid Cartilage

Cricoid Cartilage

Question 5

What is the clinical significance of the gap between these two structures?

Answer 5

In an emergency situation, a cricothyroidotomy can be performed by piercing a hole in the median cricothyroid ligament.

Question 6

How are the two primary bronchi different?

Answer 6

The right bronchus has a larger diameter and is more vertical

Question 7

How many bronchopulmonary segments are there per lung?

Answer 7

10

Question 8

What do the vessels, nerves and bronchi from the mediastinum have to pass through to get to the lungs?

Answer 8

Root of the lung

Question 9

Where is the apex of the lung?

Answer 9

3-4 cm above the level of the first costal cartilage

Question 10

What are the three edges of the lung?

Answer 10

Anterior, Posterior, Inferior

Question 11

What are the three surfaces of the lung?

Answer 11

Costal, Mediastinal, Diaphragmatic

Question 12

What does the diaphragm separate?

Answer 12

Right lung from the right lobe of the liver

Left lung from the left lobe of the liver, the stomach and the spleen

Question 13

What is found above and behind the cardiac impression on the mediastinal surface of the lung?

Answer 13

The hilum of the lung where the vessels, bronchi and nerves enter the lung from the mediastinum

Question 14

Describe the arrangement of the vessels and bronchi in the hilum of the lung.

Answer 14

The pulmonary artery is superior to the pulmonary veins. Bronchus is generally superior. The left bronchus divides into lobar bronchi within the lung. The right bronchus may divide into lobar bronchi in the hilum (before entering the lung).

Question 15

Name the lobes in the right and left lung.

Answer 15

Right = superior, middle and inferior
Left = superior, inferior

Question 16

Name the fissures separating the lobes.

Answer 16

Right:
Superior from Middle = horizontal
Middle from Inferior = oblique
Left:
Superior from Inferior = oblique

Question 17

What structures enter of leave the hilum of the lung?

Answer 17

Pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, bronchus, pulmonary nerve plexus, lymph vessels and nodes

Question 18

What is the pulmonary ligament?

Answer 18

Inferior fold of pleura (below the hilum)

Question 19

Where do the visceral and parietal pleura become continuous?

Answer 19

At the hilum of the lungs

Question 20

What is the gap between the inferior surface of the lung and the inferior surface of the pleura called?

Answer 20

Costo-diaphragmatic recess

Question 21

What are the attachments of the diaphragm?

Answer 21

Costal margin
Xiphoid process
Ends of ribs 11 and 12
Lumbar vertebrae

Question 22

How do the dimensions of the thoracic cavity change when inspiring?

Answer 22

Anteroposterior diameter increases

Transverse diameter increases

Question 23

What causes expiration?

Answer 23

Expiration is PASSIVE - it is caused by the natural recoil of the lungs

Question 24

What happens in forced expiration?

Answer 24

The abdominal muscle contracts pushing the abdominal viscera against the diaphragm and pulling the costal margin down.