Pleurae - neurovascular & pneumothorax Flashcards
do the 2 parts of the pleurae have the same vascular supply?
NO
what is the parietal pleura sensitive to?
pressure, pain, and temperature. It produces a well localised pain
what is the parietal pleura innervated by?
the phrenic and intercostal nerves
where is the blood supply to the parietal pleura derived from?
the intercostal arteries
what is the visceral pleura sensitive to?
The visceral pleura is NOT sensitive to pain, temperature or touch. Its sensory fibres only detect stretch
what do the sensory fibres of visceral pleura detect?
stretch
where does the visceral pleura receives innervation from?
receives autonomic innervation from the pulmonary plexus
what is the pulmonary plexus?
a network of nerves derived from the sympathetic trunk and vagus nerve
where is the arterial supply to the visceral pleura via?
via the bronchial circulation (internal thoracic arteries)
what else does the internal thoracic arteries supply?
the parenchyma of the lungs
what is a pneumothorax commonly referred to as?
a collapsed lung
when does a pneumothorax occur?
when air or gas is present within the pleural space
what happens when there is air or gas in the pleural space?
This removes the surface tension of the serous fluid present in the space, reducing lung extension
what are clinical features of pneumothorax?
chest pain, and shortness of breath, and asymmetrical chest expansion
upon percussion, what might the affected side be like? why?
hyper-resonant (due to excess air within the chest)
how many main classes of pneumothorax are there and what are they?
There are two main classes of pneumothorax – spontaneous and traumatic
when does a spontaneous pneumothorax occur?
A spontaneous pneumothorax occurs without a specific cause
what is a spontaneous pneumothorax subdivided into?
primary and secondary
what is a primary spontaneous pneumothorax?
no underlying respiratory disease
what is a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax?
underlying respiratory disease present
when does a traumatic pneumothorax occur?
as a result of blunt or penetrating chest trauma, such as a rib fracture (often seen in road traffic collisions)
what does treatment for pneumothorax depend upon?
Treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause
what are the treatment for primary pneumothoraces?
treatment tend to be small and generally require minimal intervention
what are treatment for secondary and traumatic pneumothoraces?
may require decompression to remove the extra air/gas in order for the lung to reinflate
