lecture 16 - thorax anatomy & breathing Flashcards
What are the 3 key compartments of the thoracic cavity?
The mediastinum and 2 pleural cavities
What is the anterior boundary of the thoracic cavity?
Sternum
What is the posterior boundary of the thoracic cavity?
thoracic vertebrae
What is the lateral boundary of the thoracic cavity?
ribs
What is the superior boundary of the thoracic cavity?
base of neck
What is the inferior boundary of the thoracic cavity?
Diaphragm
What is the mediastinum?
A region lying between the lungs in the thoracic cavity that contains the oesophagus, trachea and heart
What does the mediastinum contain?
Heart, vessels, pericardium, trachea, oesophagus
What do the pleural cavities contain?
Each has a lung
Why are the 2 pleural cavities seperate?
So that if one lung stops the functioning, the other can act separately
What is the pleural cavity lined with?
The parietal (against cavity) and visceral (against lungs) pleura
What fundamentally drives ventilation?
Pressure changes in the thoracic cavity
What is the relationship between pressure and volume in the thoracic cavity?
Pressure is inversely proportional to volume (P=1/V)
What happens to the volume in the thorax during inspiration?
It increases (as pressure decreases)
What happens to the volume in the thorax during expiration?
It decreases (as pressure increases)
What happens to the pressure in the thorax during inspiration?
It decreases (as volume increases)
What happens to the pressure in the thorax during expiration?
It increases (as volume decreases)
Why does a smaller volume create higher pressure?
A smaller space for the same amount of gas leads to more collisions and therefore increased pressure
What is Boyle’s Law?
P=1/V - pressure is inversely proportional to volume
How does air move between areas of varying pressure?
Moves from high to low pressure
What is the relative pressure inside and outside the thoracic cavity during inspiration?
Pressure inside < Pressure outside
What is the relative pressure inside and outside the thoracic cavity during expiration?
Pressure outside < Pressure inside
What is the relative pressure inside and outside the thoracic cavity between breaths?
Pressure outside = Pressure inside
What joins the sternum to the ribs?
Costal cartilage