Lungs & Posterior Mediastinum

Question 1

What are the fissures and lobes of the left lung?

Answer 1

The oblique fissure separates the left lung into a superior and inferior lobe.

Question 2

What are the fissures and lobes of the right lung?

Answer 2

The oblique fissure separates the right lung into a superior and inferior lobe, and separates the middle and inferior lobes. The horizontal fissure separates the superior and the middle lobe.

Question 3

What is the lingula?

Answer 3

The lingula is a tongue shaped extension on the anteroinferior portion of the superior lobe of the left lung.

Question 4

What are the impressions on the medial surface of the right lung?

Answer 4

Grooves for the superior and inferior vena cave, a cardiac impression, an esophageal groove, and a groove for the azygos vein.

Question 5

What are the impressions on the medial surface of the left lung?

Answer 5

There is a cardiac impression, a groove for the arch and descending aorta, and a groove for the subclavian artery.

Question 6

Complete this sentence: The pulmonary arteries carry ______.

Answer 6

Deoxygenated blood.

Question 7

Complete this sentence: The pulmonary veins carry ______.

Answer 7

Oxygenated blood.

Question 8

Describe the orientation of the pulmonary arteries to the secondary bronchi in the right lung.

Answer 8

R.A.L.S

The pulmonary arteries are anterior to the secondary bronchi in the right lung.

Question 9

Describe the orientation of the pulmonary arteries to the secondary bronchi in the left lung.

Answer 9

R.A.L.S

The pulmonary arteries are superior to the secondary bronchi in the left lung.

Question 10

Describe the orientation of the pulmonary veins to the arteries and bronchi in the both lungs.

Answer 10

The pulmonary veins are anterior and inferior to the arteries and bronchi in both lungs.

Question 11

Describe the pulmonary plexus of nerves to the lungs.

Answer 11

The pulmonary plexus of nerves receives parasympathetic innervation from the vagus nerve and sympathetic innervation from T1/T2 - T6 of the sympathetic trunk.

Question 12

From where are the bronchial arteries derived in the right lung?

Answer 12

The bronchial arteries in the right lung are derived from the intercostal arteries or the aorta.

Question 13

From where are the bronchial arteries derived in the left lung?

Answer 13

The bronchial arteries in the left lung are derived from the descending thoracic aorta.

Question 14

What is the difference between the right main bronchus and left main bronchus?

Answer 14

The right main bronchus is larger, more vertical, and short than the left main bronchus. It is also the primary site for aspirated objects.

Question 15

What is the difference between the visceral and parietal pleura?

Answer 15

The visceral pleura is a lining attached to the lungs and covers its surfaces and fissures. The parietal pleura covers the inside of the rib cage and pulmonary cavity.

Question 16

What are the parts of the parietal pleura?

Answer 16

The parietal pleura has cervical, costal, diaphragmatic and mediastinal parts depending on the part of the cavity being covered.

Question 17

True or False: There is a space between the visceral and parietal pleura that contains fluid.

Answer 17

True. There is a potential space between the pleura that contains serous fluid that decreases friction between the lungs and ribs.

Question 18

What is the pulmonary ligament?

Answer 18

A ligament formed at the base of the hilus where mediastinal pleura meets visceral pleura.

Question 19

Where are the pleural recesses and what purpose do they serve?

Answer 19

The pleural recesses lie between the viseral and parietal pleura. They allow space for maximum expansion of the lungs upon forced inspiration.

Question 20

What are the 2 pleural recesses?

Answer 20

Costodiaphragmatic recess: posterior recess that extends from T2 - T12; excess fluid may spill into this space upon infection

Costomediastinal recess: anterior v-shaped pockets; touches the diaphragm and heart

Question 21

There is a _____ ______ difference between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura.

Answer 21

There is a 2 rib difference between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura.

Question 22

The accurate placement of a tube between the ribs to avoid hitting the intercostal nerves is where?

Answer 22

To avoid the neurovascular bundle, the tube is inserted in the interspace just superior to the rib.

Question 23

What are the boundaries and 6 contents of the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 23

Boundaries:
Anterior: Pericardium
Posterior: Thoracic Vertebrae

Contents:
Descending aorta and its branches
Esophagus and Esophageal Plexus (branches off of the Vagus Nerve)
Thoracic duct
Azygos veins (on the right)
Hemiazygos veins (on the left)
Sympathetic chain (Greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerve)

Question 24

What does the azygos vein drain and where does it empty?

Answer 24

The azygos vein ONLY DRAINS THE RIGHT SIDE!! It drains the intercostal, right renal, and right ascending lumbar veins. It empties into the superior vena cava.

Question 25

What does the hemiazygos vein drain and where does it empty?

Answer 25

The hemiazygos vein drains the lower intercostal, left ascending lumbar and left subcostal veins. It crosses around the level of T9 vertebra and empties into the azygos vein.

Question 26

What does the accessory azygos vein drain and where does it empty?

Answer 26

The accessory azygos vein drains the upper intercostal veins, connects the mid 3 or 4 intercostal veins and either empties directly into the azygos vein or into the hemiazygos vein.

Question 27

Where are the thoracic sympathetic trunks located?

Answer 27

T1 - L2

Superior thorax: against the heads of the ribs

Mid thoracic level: against the costovertebral joints

Inferior thorax: against the sides of the vertebral bodies

Question 28

Where are the greater, lesser, and least splanchnic thoracic nerves in the thorax?

Answer 28

Greater – T5- T9
Lesser – T10 – T11
Least- T12