Developmental Aspects of Lung Disease

Question 1

During growth and development of the lung, what processes/systems are essential for healthy lungs?

Answer 1

• morphogenesis
• surfactant system
• postnatal lung growth

Question 2

Abnormalities of growth and development of the lung can lead to what?

Answer 2

• congenital lung disease

- hyaline membrane disease

Question 3

What are the 5 stages of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 3

1. Embryonic
2. Pseudo-glandular
3. Canalicular
4. Saccular
5. Alveolar

Question 4

During what stage of lung morphogenesis does the larygo-tracheal groove grow forward, budding out to form the primitive trachea?

Answer 4

Embryonic (3-8 weeks)

Question 5

Gas exchange becomes possible towards the end of what stage of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 5

Canalicular

Question 6

What can be seen in the pseudo-glandular stage of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 6

Any major airway abnormalities

• small airways
• increased branching
• blood vessels a large distance from airways

Question 7

What happens to the blood vessels in the Canalicular stage of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 7

They move closer to airways allowing gas exchange

Question 8

As the alveolar stage of lung morphogenesis continues, the number of alveoli

Answer 8

increases

Question 9

The continuation of alveolar separation in postnatal lung growth provides

Answer 9

a large surface area to allow gas exchange

Question 10

Expansion of air spaces occurs in which stage of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 10

Saccular

Question 11

In the embryonic stage of lung morphogenesis what structural abnormalities, which could indicate congenital lung disease, can be seen?

Answer 11

• stenosis (tracheal/laryngeal)
• pulmonary agenesis
• tracheo-oesophageal fistula

Question 12

What abnormalities can be seen in the pseudoglandular stage of lung morphogenesis?

Answer 12

• pulmonary seqestration
• cystadenomatoid malformation
• cyst formation

Question 13

What are the two common diaphragmatic abnormalities?

Answer 13

• diaphragmatic hernia

- eventration (where most of diaphragm is raised)

Question 14

What functional changes occur in the lungs at birth?

Answer 14

• change from fluid secretion to fluid absorption

- pulmonary vasodilatation

Question 15

What may occur in a newborn baby whose lungs have not yet transitioned from fluid secretion to absorption?

Answer 15

Tachypnoea (rapid breathing)

Question 16

What is the function of surfactant in the lungs?

Answer 16

Stabilises alveoli and promotes gas exchange

Question 17

Surfactant deficiency can cause what neonatal lung disease?

Answer 17

Hyaline membrane disease

Question 18

When does Hyaline Membrane Disease occur?

Answer 18

In premature babies where surfactant hasn’t been formed so airways can collapse

Question 19

Chronic neonatal lung disease is suspected to make children more susceptible to what condition in adult life?

Answer 19

COPD

Question 20

What can lead to adult COPD in the antenatal stage?

Answer 20

• in utero nicotine exposure
• low nutrition, micronutrients and vitamins
• low birth weight/prematurity

Question 21

People with normal, healthy lungs will experience decreased lung function when?

Answer 21

With decreased age

Question 22

Accelerated decline in lung function can be seen in who?

Answer 22

• Smokers
• Premature babies
• Children exposed to second hand smoke
• Children who have experienced lung insult

Question 23

If long term smokers quit smoking, will there be any effect on their lung function?

Answer 23

Lung function will still decrease faster than that of a non-smoker, but will improve compared to those who keep smoking

Question 24

What is the main cause of COPD?

Answer 24

Heavy smoking

Question 25

Low lung function at birth increases the risk of developing what?

Answer 25

COPD