practical 2 - Lungs and pleura section 1 Flashcards
What is the pleura?
A pair of serous membranes lining the thorax and enveloping the lungs
What is the pleural sac?
A balloon like structure which encloses the lung. There are two, one on either side of the mediastinum.
What is the mediastinum?
A space between the pleural sacs which contains the heart and great vessels (and others)
what is the space between the parietal pleura and visceral pleura?
what is the space found inferior to lungs and superior to the diaphragm?
pleural cavity
costodiaphragmatic recess
What is the functional significance of the pleural recesses?
allows the smooth expansion of the lungs during inspiration
In life, what normally occupies the pleural cavity?
A thin film of serous fluid
pleural cavity and the apex of the lung extend above the thoracic inlet. What would be the consequences of injury to the neck?
The lung would collapse as the atmospheric pressure would force air into the thoracic cavity.
Pneumothorax:
Pneumothorax arises when membrane surrounding rib is damaged. Pocket of Air enters lungs and becomes trapped squashing the lung.
Haemothorax:
aemothorax similar to pneumothorax except blood enters lung and collects at base. SOB
Chylothorax:
Thoracic duct (lymphatic) damaged chyle leaks into pleural cavity
Empyema:
Pus-filled pockets formed in pleural cavity due to bacterial infection
What is the nerve supply of the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura? Are they sensitive to pain? Explain your answer.
Visceral – ANS no sensory receptors
Parietal – phrenic and intercostal nerves: sensitive to pain
Discuss the meaning of the term “referred pain” with a group of colleagues. If you are unsure, consult your gross anatomy textbook or a demonstrator.
Pain felt elsewhere in the body other than its actual source
Explain the distribution of referred pain from the parietal pleura.
Irritation of the parietal pleura may produce referred pain in the thoracic and abdominal walls (intercostal) and in the shoulder (phrenic).
