Lungs and Pleurae Flashcards
What are the main anatomical divisions of the lungs?
The lungs are divided into right and left lungs.
What is the function of the lungs?
The lungs facilitate gas exchange by oxygenating blood and removing carbon dioxide.
What are the surfaces of the lungs, and what structures do they relate to?
The surfaces include the costal, mediastinal, and diaphragmatic surfaces, relating to the ribs, heart, and diaphragm, respectively.
What are the borders of the lungs?
The lungs have anterior, inferior, and posterior borders.
What are the lobes and fissures of the right lung?
The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior) separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures.
What are the lobes and fissures of the left lung?
The left lung has two lobes (superior and inferior) separated by the oblique fissure.
Why does the left lung have fewer lobes than the right lung?
The left lung has fewer lobes to accommodate the heart.
What is the lingula, and where is it located?
The lingula is a small tongue-like projection on the anterior part of the left lung.
What structures form the root of the lung?
The root of the lung contains the main bronchus, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymphatics, and nerves.
What is the hilum of the lung, and what structures pass through it?
The hilum is the central area where the root structures enter and leave the lung.
How can you distinguish the right and left lung by examining the hilum?
The right lung hilum has the bronchus posterior, the artery anterior, and veins inferior, while the left lung has the artery superior to the bronchus.
What is the bronchial tree, and how does it branch?
The bronchial tree consists of progressively smaller airways, from the trachea to bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
What is the functional difference between the conducting and respiratory zones of the lungs?
The conducting zone transports air, while the respiratory zone is involved in gas exchange.
What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi?
Primary bronchi supply each lung, secondary bronchi supply each lobe, and tertiary bronchi supply bronchopulmonary segments.
What are bronchopulmonary segments, and why are they clinically significant?
Bronchopulmonary segments are independent lung units important in segmental resections.
How many bronchopulmonary segments are in each lung?
The right lung has 10 bronchopulmonary segments, and the left lung has 8-10.
What is the blood supply to the lungs?
The lungs receive blood from the pulmonary arteries (deoxygenated) and bronchial arteries (oxygenated).
What is the venous drainage of the lungs?
Pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the heart; bronchial veins drain into the azygos system.
What is the nerve supply of the lungs?
The lungs receive autonomic innervation from the pulmonary plexus, with parasympathetic input from the vagus nerve and sympathetic input from the sympathetic trunk.
What are the lymphatic drainage pathways of the lungs?
Lymphatic drainage occurs via intrapulmonary, hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes.
What are the two layers of the pleura?
The pleura consists of visceral and parietal layers.
What is the function of pleural fluid?
Pleural fluid reduces friction during breathing.
What is the pleural cavity, and why is it important?
The pleural cavity is the space between the visceral and parietal pleura containing pleural fluid.
What is the difference between the visceral and parietal pleura?
The visceral pleura covers the lungs, while the parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity.
What are the pleural recesses, and what is their clinical significance?
The pleural recesses (costodiaphragmatic and costomediastinal) allow lung expansion during deep breathing.
What is the innervation of the parietal pleura?
The parietal pleura is innervated by the intercostal and phrenic nerves and is pain-sensitive.
What is the innervation of the visceral pleura?
The visceral pleura is innervated by autonomic nerves and is not pain-sensitive.
What are the consequences of pleural effusion?
Pleural effusion can impair breathing and cause lung compression.
What are the different types of pleural effusions?
Types of pleural effusions include transudative (heart failure) and exudative (infection, malignancy).
What is a pneumothorax, and how does it occur?
A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse.
What are the clinical signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax?
Symptoms include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
What is a tension pneumothorax, and why is it a medical emergency?
Tension pneumothorax causes mediastinal shift, reducing venous return and cardiac output.
How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?
It is diagnosed with chest X-ray or ultrasound.
What is the role of the diaphragm in lung expansion?
The diaphragm contracts to create negative pressure, expanding the lungs.
How do the lungs receive oxygenated blood for their metabolic needs?
The bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to lung tissue.
How does the pulmonary circulation differ from the systemic circulation?
Pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while systemic circulation supplies oxygen to tissues.
What is the role of surfactant in the lungs?
Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, preventing collapse.
What is atelectasis, and what causes it?
Atelectasis is alveolar collapse due to airway obstruction or surfactant deficiency.
What are the common causes of lung collapse?
Causes include airway obstruction, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion.
What is the difference between a pulmonary embolism and a pulmonary infarction?
A pulmonary embolism is a clot in the pulmonary artery, which may cause infarction if blood flow is blocked.
How does the pleura contribute to the mechanics of breathing?
The pleura ensures smooth lung expansion by reducing friction.
What are the different types of lung lobectomies and their indications?
Lobectomies remove lung lobes for conditions like cancer.
What is pleuritis (pleurisy), and what are its symptoms?
Pleuritis (pleurisy) is pleural inflammation causing sharp chest pain.
What is the function of alveoli in gas exchange?
Alveoli facilitate oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange via diffusion.
What are the anatomical differences between the right and left main bronchi?
The right bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical, making it more prone to aspiration.
How does the tracheobronchial tree filter and humidify inspired air?
The airway epithelium traps particles and humidifies air.
What are the structural adaptations of alveoli that facilitate gas exchange?
Alveoli have thin walls and a large surface area to optimize diffusion.
What is the carina, and what is its clinical significance?
The carina is the bifurcation of the trachea, sensitive to irritation, triggering coughing.
How do diseases like COPD affect lung structure and function?
COPD leads to airway narrowing, mucus overproduction, and alveolar damage.
What are common imaging techniques used to assess lung anatomy and pathology?
Imaging includes chest X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound.
