Pulmonary Flashcards
What are the two layers of pleura?
Visceral and parietal
At what point is each pleural layer continuous?
The hilum
What is a pleural cavity
Normally surface tension holds 2 pleura layers close together so potential space exists between parietal and visceral pleura. Contains small amount of serous fluid
Innervation of parietal pleura
Phrenic or intercostal nerves depending on region (the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura is mainly innervated by the phrenic nerves, while the costal pleura is innervated by the intercostal nerves).
What are pleura. What sort of cell does it entail?
Serous membranes that line the lungs and thoracic cavity. (simple squamous cells)
Which layer of pleura is thicker?
Parietal
What are functions of pleural serous fluid?
1) Lubricates surfaces of pleura, allowing them to slide over each other
2) Produces surface tension, pulls 2 pleura layers closer together
What is the costodiaphragmatic recess?
The lung does not fill the pleural cavity completely during normal breathing, the parietal pleura forms costodiaphragmatic recesses between thoracic wall (costal pleurae) and diaphragm (diaphragmatic pleurae) into which the lung can expand during deep inspiration.
Why is the recess clinically significant?
Knowledge of these pleural recesses is important, as they are a site of potential fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Any procedure crossing the costodiaphragmatic recess risks lung damage and pneumothorax.
What is a pneumothorax?
Collection of air within pleural cavity surrounding lung, resulting in lung collapsing as surface tension breaks and negative pressure lost.
Where does bronchial tree start?
Trachea, C6 below cricoid cartilage
What marks the bifurcation of the trachea?
At carina (T4/sternal angle). Divides in into Left and Right Primary Bronchi.
What is the trachea lined with?
Respiratory epithelium acting as escalator wafting particulate matter up out of airways.
What is benefit of hyaline cartilage rings of trachea being incomplete posteriorly?
1) permits expansion of oesophagus
2) provides attachment for trachealis muscle, which narrows ariways during coughing.
What is the purpose of fibroelastic tissue between cartilage in trachea?
Assists smooth muscle in varying tracheal diameter in forced respiration
Describe innervation of trachea?
Parasympathetic from vagus (recurrent laryngeal) and sympathetic from chain
Which artery supplies the trachea?
Inferior thyroid
Which nodes drain trachea?
Postoinferior deep cervical nodes
What’s the difference between bronchi and why is this clinically significant?
Right bronchus wider, more vertical and shorter. More vertical therefore more likely to be obstructed by an inhaled object.
What level do bronchi enter hilum?
T5/6
Difference in bronchus lung entry (between left and right)
Right gives off superior branch of lobar bronchus before it enters the lung.
What happens to the bronchi inside lungs?
Each divides into lobar/secondary bronchi
What do the secondary bronchi supply?
Lobes
What happens to the secondary bronchi inside the lungs?
Divides into tertiary/segmental bronchi
