Lungs Flashcards
What is the location of the lung?
Either side of the thoracic cavity separated by the heart, great vessels and other mediastinal structures
The lung is attached to the mediastinum by its roots allowing it to float within the parietal pleura
How many lobes does each lung have?
Right lung = 3
Left lung = 2
What is the apex of the lung?
Upper conical part of the lung above the thoracic inlet covered by the suprapleural membrane
The apical pleura covers the apex of the lungs on all sides
Location of the lung apex
Extends up to the neck of 1st rib behind, 3-4 cms above 1st costal cartilage and 2.5 cms above medial 1/3rd of clavicle
Relations of the base of the lungs to the abdomen
Separated from the abdominal organs by the diaphragm
Right lobe of liver on the right
Stomach, spleen & left lobe of liver on the left
What are the borders of the lung?
Anterior border
Inferior border
Posterior border
What is the anterior border of the lung?
Where costal and mediastinal surfaces meet
What is the inferior border of the lung?
Separates the costal and mediastinal surface
Surrounds the diaphragmatic surface of lung
What is the posterior border of the lung?
Where the costal & mediastinal surfaces meet posteriorly
Broad & rounded
Fits into the deep paravertebral gutter (space in the thorax occupied by the lungs)
What are the surfaces of the lung?
Blunt apex
Concave base
Costal surface - Convex surface. In contact with costal pleura and overlying thoracic wall
Mediastinal surface - Irregular shape. Divided into posterior (vertebral part) and anterior (mediastinal part)
What are the relations (impressions) of the posterior part of the lung?
VIPS PIV (posterior intercostal vessels)
Vertebral Part
Intervertebral Discs
Posterior Intercostal Vessels
Splanchnic Nerves
What are the relations of the anterior part of the right lung?
Right atrium
Part of right ventricle
Superior Vena Cava
Inferior Vena Cava
Right brachiocephalic vein
Azygos vein
Right vagus nerve
Right phrenic nerve
Esophagus
Trachea
What are the relations of the anterior part of the left lung?
Left ventricle
Arch of Aorta
Descending thoracic aorta
Left Subclavian Artery
Pulmonary trunk
Left Brachiocephalic Vein
Left vagus nerve
Left phrenic nerve
Thoracic duct
What are the fissures of the lungs?
Oblique fissures
Horizontal fissures
Describe the course of the oblique fissure
Begins posteriorly at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra and passes antero-inferiorly in a spiral course to meet the inferior margin close to the 6th costochondral junction