Module 8: Thorax and lungs

Question 1

The thoracic cage consists of

Answer 1

Sternum, 12 pairs of ribs, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and the diaphragm which forms the floor.

Question 2

What is the costochondral junction’s?

Answer 2

The point at which the ribs join their cartilages. Not palpable

Question 3

On the anterior thorax, surface landmarks include:

Answer 3

• Suprasternal notch
• Sternum (breast bone) which has a manubrium, body, xiphoid process
• Sternal angle (angle of Louis),which is continuous with 2nd rib
• Coastal angle, where the right left coastal margins meet at the xiphoid process

Question 4

On the posterior thorax, surface landmarks include:

Answer 4

• Vertebra prominens
• Spinous process
• Inferior border of the scapula, usually at the 7th or 8th rib
• 12th rib

Question 5

To pin point a finding on the Anterior chest, what reference lines do you use?

Answer 5

Use the midsternal and midclavicular lines

Question 6

To pin point a finding on the Posterior chest, what reference lines do you use?

Answer 6

Vertebral and scapular lines

Question 7

To pin point a finding on the Lateral chest, what reference lines do you use?

Answer 7

Anterior axillary, posterior axillary, and midaxillary lines

Question 8

The mediastinum is the middle section of the thoracic cavity, and it contains what?

Answer 8

Esophagus, trachea, heart, and great vessels

Question 9

The right and left plural cavities on either side of the mediastinum contain

Answer 9

The lungs

Question 10

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

Answer 10

Provides 02 for metabolism

Remove CO2 and waste products of metabolism

Question 11

What are the secondary functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 11

Maintains acid-base balance, heat exchange, speech/smell

Question 12

nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, epiglottis are part of

Answer 12

Upper respiratory Airway

Question 13

The lower respiratory airway consists of

Answer 13

Trachea, bronchi/bronchial use, Alveolar ducts/alveoli, lungs, Accessory muscles

Question 14

In the anterior chest, the Apex, or highest point, of long tissue is how many centimetres above the inner third of the clavicles?

Answer 14

3-4 cm

Question 15

The base or lower border of the anterior chest rests on the diaphragm at about the ____th rib in the ____________ line

Answer 15

6th rib, midclavicular line

Question 16

Laterally the lungs extend from the Apex of the axilla to the

Answer 16

7th or 8th rib

Question 17

Posteriorly, C7 marks the ____ and T10 usually corresponds to the ____

Answer 17

Apex, base.

In deep inspiration, the base descends to T12

Question 18

Which lung is shorter and consists of 3 lobes?

Answer 18

The right lung. Left lung consists of 2

Question 19

How are the lobes arranged and what are they separated by?

Answer 19

They stack in diagonal sloping segments and are separated by fissures that run obliquely through the chest

Question 20

What is the most remarkable point about the posterior chest?

Answer 20

It is almost all lower lobe

Question 21

Laterally, lung tissue extends from the

Answer 21

Apex of the axilla down to the seventh or eighth rib

Question 22

The thin, slippery _________ form an envelope between the lungs and the chest wall

Answer 22

Pleurae

Question 23

The inside of the envelope, A potential space filled only with a few millilitres of lubricating fluid is called the

Answer 23

Pleural cavity

Question 24

What is the function of the pleural cavity?

Answer 24

Normally has a vacuum (or negative pressure) that holds the lungs tightly against the chest

Question 25

what is the function of the lubricating fluid inside the pleural cavity?

Answer 25

Prevents friction as the lungs move during respiration

Question 26

Is it the right or left bronchus that is shorter, wider, and more vertical

Answer 26

The right

Question 27

Trachea and bronchi do what?

Answer 27

Transport gases between the environment and the lung parenchyma

Question 28

What is the name for the functional respiratory unit that consist of the bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and the alveoli?

Answer 28

Acinus

Question 29

Gaseous Exchange occurs across the

Answer 29

Respiratory membrane in the alveolar duct and in the millions of alveoli

Question 30

How does respiration maintain the pH, or the acid base balance, of the blood?

Answer 30

By supplying oxygen to the blood and eliminating excess carbon dioxide

Question 31

How do the lungs help maintain the balance of pH by adjusting the level of carbon dioxide through respiration?

Answer 31

Hypoventilation (slow, shallow breathing) causes carbon dioxide to build up in the blood
Hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing) causes carbon dioxide to be blown off

Question 32

The normal stimulus to breathe for most people is by

Answer 32

An increase of carbon dioxide in the blood, or hypercapnia

Question 33

What is hypoxemia?

Answer 33

Decrease of oxygen in the blood

Question 34

What is tactile fremitus?

Answer 34

Assessment of the lungs by the vibration intensity felt on the chest wall

Question 35

Increased tactile fremitus would be evident in an individual who has which condition?

Answer 35

Pneumonia

Question 36

Inspiration is primarily facilitated by which muscles?

Answer 36

Diaphragm and intercostals

Question 37

*The body tissues are based by blood, whose normal acceptable pH has a narrow range of

Answer 37

7.35-7.45

Question 38

What respiratory sounds are you likely to hear when opposing roughened pleural surfaces rub together during respiration?

Answer 38

Rubs

Question 39

*To obtain subjective data, what are the 7 topics you will investigate?

Answer 39

• cough
• shortness of breath
• chest pain with breathing
• history of respiratory infections
• history of smoking
• environmental exposure
• self-care behaviours (I.e. vaccinations)

Question 40

What do you note when inspecting the thoracic cage? (4)

Answer 40

• shape and configuration of chest wall
• anteroposterior/transverse diameter (antero. Should be less than the transverse diameter) otherwise = barrel chest
• position patient takes to breathe
• skin colour and condition

Question 41

What do you assess when you palpate the posterior chest?

Answer 41

Symmetrical expansion and tactile fremitus