Lung

Question 1

What is the function of the pleural cavities?

Answer 1

They provide surface tension and cohesion to keep the lung surfaces in contact with the thoracic wall.

Question 2

The left costomediastinal recess is larger than the right, why?

Answer 2

Due to the presence of the cardiac notch in the left lung, which is more pronounced than the notch in the parietal pleural surrounding the left lung.

Question 3

What is the name of the muscle forming the posterior wall of the trachea?

Answer 3

Trachealis muscle

Question 4

What are the differences between the left and right main bronchi?

Answer 4

Right main bronchus – wider, shorter and more vertical than the left main bronchus
Left main bronchus – thin, long and more horizontal than right main bronchus.

Question 5

What do the main bronchi divide into?

Answer 5

Right main bronchus – 3 lobar bronchi
Left main bronchus – 2 lobar bronchi

Question 6

Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

Answer 6

Pulmonary arteries

Question 7

In which part of the bronchial tree does the function change from the passage of air to gas exchange?

Answer 7

At the respiratory bronchioles

Question 8

What prevents the alveoli from collapsing?

Answer 8

They are coated in a thin film of pulmonary surfactant

Question 9

What features are you looking for to identify a left lung?

Answer 9

Left lung – lingual and cardiac notch
Right lung – Middle lobe and horizontal fissure

Question 10

Can you list any other structures that pass through the hilum of the lung which may not be seen in the prosections?

Answer 10

Bronchial arteries and veins, lymph vessels, efferent and afferent autonomic nerves.

Question 11

The pulmonary veins carry which type of blood?

Answer 11

Oxygenated blood

Question 12

Identify the pulmonary ligament. What is its function

Answer 12

Stabilise the position of the inferior lobe of the lung, may also accommodate for movement of the lungs during respiration

Question 13

On which lung would you find the lingula and cardiac notch?

Answer 13

Left lung

Question 14

On which lung is the oblique fissure found?

Answer 14

Left lung

Question 15

Which landmarks divide the mediastinum into the superior and inferior mediastinum?

Answer 15

Which landmarks divide the mediastinum into the superior and inferior mediastinum?
Superior mediastinum – Oesophagus, trachea, phrenic nerves
Middle mediastinum – Heart, ascending aorta, trachea
Posterior mediastinum – Thoracic aorta, azygous vein, main bronchus, oesophagus

Question 16

What are the contents of the middle mediastinum?

Answer 16

Heart, pericardium, the great vessels and trachea

Question 17

The visceral pleura is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, whereas the parietal pleura is innervated by several nerves. What is the innervation to the costal parietal pleura?

Answer 17

Intercostal nerves

Question 18

Which part of the parietal pleura does the phrenic nerve innervate innervate?

Answer 18

Innervates the mediastinal pleura and most of the diaphragmatic pleura, along with the diaphragm.

Question 19

Which structures of the thorax does the vagus nerve provide parasympathetic innervation to?

Answer 19

Lungs and heart.

Question 20

The vagus nerve passes posterior to which structure of the respiratory system?

Answer 20

It passes posterior to the root of the lung