Lungs Flashcards
What are the two pleurae called?
visceral and parietal pleura
parietal is on the outside because it is the ‘parent’
Name the four parts of the parietal pleura
cervical, costal, diaphragmatic, mediastinal
What is the pleural cavity?
the potential space between the visceral and parietal layers of pleura, contains a capillary layer of serous pleural fluid
What is the purpose of serous pleural fluid?
allows layers of pleura to slide smoothly over each other
surface tension provides the cohesion that keeps the lung surface in contact with the thoracic wall
What is a pleural effusion?
when the volume of serous pleural fluid in the pleural cavity is substantially greater than normal which can cause breathlessness
How many lobes does the left lung have?
two
What features distinguish the right lung from the left?
right lung is larger and heavier, broader than the left, shorter by and inch because the diaphragm rises higher on the right hand side because of the liver, horizontal and oblique fissure, three lobes
What are the three surfaces of the lungs?
costal surface, mediastinal surface, diaphragmatic surface
Where does the apex of the lung lie?
above the clavicle
What are the two recesses called when the lungs do not fully occupy the pleural cavity during expiration?
costodiaphragmatic recess and costomediastinal recess
Give a reason why the costodiaphragmatic recess is of clinical significance
fluid can accumalate here causing pleural effusion
Where does the trachea bifurcate?
at the level of the sternal angle
What type of cartilage is found in the walls of the trachea and bronchi?
hyaline
What is the difference between the right and left main bronchi?
right - wider and shorter, runs more vertically as it passess directly to the hilum of the right lung
left - passess inferolaterally
How many pulmonary vessels does each lung have?
2 pulmonary veins, 1 pulmonary artery
