Module 8: Thorax and lungs Flashcards
The thoracic cage consists of
Sternum, 12 pairs of ribs, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and the diaphragm which forms the floor.
What is the costochondral junction’s?
The point at which the ribs join their cartilages. Not palpable
On the anterior thorax, surface landmarks include:
- 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
On the posterior thorax, surface landmarks include:
- Vertebra prominens
- Spinous process
- Inferior border of the scapula, usually at the 7th or 8th rib
- 12th rib
To pin point a finding on the Anterior chest, what reference lines do you use?
Use the midsternal and midclavicular lines
To pin point a finding on the Posterior chest, what reference lines do you use?
Vertebral and scapular lines
To pin point a finding on the Lateral chest, what reference lines do you use?
Anterior axillary, posterior axillary, and midaxillary lines
The mediastinum is the middle section of the thoracic cavity, and it contains what?
Esophagus, trachea, heart, and great vessels
The right and left plural cavities on either side of the mediastinum contain
The lungs
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Provides 02 for metabolism
Remove CO2 and waste products of metabolism
What are the secondary functions of the respiratory system?
Maintains acid-base balance, heat exchange, speech/smell
nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, epiglottis are part of
Upper respiratory Airway
The lower respiratory airway consists of
Trachea, bronchi/bronchial use, Alveolar ducts/alveoli, lungs, Accessory muscles
In the anterior chest, the Apex, or highest point, of long tissue is how many centimetres above the inner third of the clavicles?
3-4 cm
The base or lower border of the anterior chest rests on the diaphragm at about the ____th rib in the ____________ line
6th rib, midclavicular line
Laterally the lungs extend from the Apex of the axilla to the
7th or 8th rib
Posteriorly, C7 marks the ____ and T10 usually corresponds to the ____
Apex, base.
In deep inspiration, the base descends to T12
Which lung is shorter and consists of 3 lobes?
The right lung. Left lung consists of 2
How are the lobes arranged and what are they separated by?
They stack in diagonal sloping segments and are separated by fissures that run obliquely through the chest
What is the most remarkable point about the posterior chest?
It is almost all lower lobe
Laterally, lung tissue extends from the
Apex of the axilla down to the seventh or eighth rib
The thin, slippery _________ form an envelope between the lungs and the chest wall
Pleurae
The inside of the envelope, A potential space filled only with a few millilitres of lubricating fluid is called the
Pleural cavity
What is the function of the pleural cavity?
Normally has a vacuum (or negative pressure) that holds the lungs tightly against the chest
what is the function of the lubricating fluid inside the pleural cavity?
Prevents friction as the lungs move during respiration
Is it the right or left bronchus that is shorter, wider, and more vertical
The right
Trachea and bronchi do what?
Transport gases between the environment and the lung parenchyma
What is the name for the functional respiratory unit that consist of the bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and the alveoli?
Acinus
Gaseous Exchange occurs across the
Respiratory membrane in the alveolar duct and in the millions of alveoli
How does respiration maintain the pH, or the acid base balance, of the blood?
By supplying oxygen to the blood and eliminating excess carbon dioxide
How do the lungs help maintain the balance of pH by adjusting the level of carbon dioxide through respiration?
Hypoventilation (slow, shallow breathing) causes carbon dioxide to build up in the blood
Hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing) causes carbon dioxide to be blown off
The normal stimulus to breathe for most people is by
An increase of carbon dioxide in the blood, or hypercapnia
What is hypoxemia?
Decrease of oxygen in the blood
What is tactile fremitus?
Assessment of the lungs by the vibration intensity felt on the chest wall
Increased tactile fremitus would be evident in an individual who has which condition?
Pneumonia
Inspiration is primarily facilitated by which muscles?
Diaphragm and intercostals
*The body tissues are based by blood, whose normal acceptable pH has a narrow range of
7.35-7.45
What respiratory sounds are you likely to hear when opposing roughened pleural surfaces rub together during respiration?
Rubs
*To obtain subjective data, what are the 7 topics you will investigate?
- cough
- shortness of breath
- chest pain with breathing
- history of respiratory infections
- history of smoking
- environmental exposure
- self-care behaviours (I.e. vaccinations)
What do you note when inspecting the thoracic cage? (4)
- 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
What do you assess when you palpate the posterior chest?
Symmetrical expansion and tactile fremitus
