Pulmonology Flashcards
Describe the left lung
Two lobes (superior and inferior) separated by the oblique fissure
Describe the right lung
Three lobes (superior, inferior, middle) separated by oblique (separates superior and middle from inferior lobe) and horizontal fissures (separates superior and middle lobes)
What are the three surfaces of the lungs?
Costal surface (opposes the rib cage) Mediastinal surface (opposes the mediastinum) Diaphragmatic surface (opposes the diaphragm)
What is the hilum?
Located within the mediastinal surface
Contains the pulmonary A (superior and thicker walled) and V (anteroinferior), main bronchi and pulmonary L
What features are present on the mediastinal surface of the right lung?
Cardiac impression, groove for the azygos V, esophagus, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, 1st rib and brachiocephalic V
What features are present on the mediastinal surface of the left lung?
Cardiac impression (more pronounced), groove for the aortic arch, descending aorta, 1st rib, and subclavian A
What are the three borders of the lungs?
Anterior border (contains the cardiac notch and lingual on the left lung), inferior and posterior border
Describe lung cancer
Can derive from actual tissue or from the bronchi (bronchogenic carcinoma)
Can involve the phrenic N, vagus N and recurrent laryngeal N due to the proximity of those nerves to the lungs
What are some treatments for lung cancer?
Removal of a lung (pneumonectomy), a lobe of a lung (lobectomy) or a specific bronchopulmonary segment (segmentectomy) through a procedure called lung resection
Describe the parietal pleura
Adherent to the thoracic wall, mediastinum and diaphragm Costal pleura (internal surface of the thoracic wall) Mediastinal pleura (lateral mediastinum) Diaphragmatic pleura (superior diaphragm) Cervical pleura (dome shaped over the apex of the lung)
What is visceral pleura?
Adherent to the lungs and extends into the fissures
What is pleuritis (pleurisy)?
An inflammation of the pleura producing a roughness on the lungs making breathing difficult
What is the pleural cavity?
Potential space between the two layers of pleura that contains a serous lubricating fluid that reduces friction and produces cohesion through surface tension
Pulmonary collapse occurs when enough air enters the what?
Pleural cavity to break the surface tension between the two layers of pleura
The elasticity of the lungs causes them to collapse
What is a pneumothorax?
Entry of air into the pleural cavity from a penetrating wound to the thoracic wall or a rupture of a pulmonary lesion into the pleural cavity which results in a collapse of the lung
What is a hydrothorax?
Accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity usually the result of fluid escape into the pleural cavity or pleural effusion
What is a hemothorax?
Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity usually the result of a chest wound or the result of laceration of an intercostal vessel or internal thoracic vessel rather than laceration of the lung
What are lines of pleural reflection?
Abrupt changes in the direction of parietal pleura
Includes the sternal, costal and vertebral line
What is the sternal line of pleural reflection?
Costal pleura becomes mediastinal pleura anteriorly
What is the costal line of pleural reflection?
Costal pleura becomes diaphragmatic pleura
What is the vertebral line of pleural reflection?
Costal pleura becomes mediastinal pleura posteriorly
Describe the right main bronchus
Also known as primary bronchus
Wider, shorter and runs more vertically than the left main bronchus
What is the difference between bronchus/bronchi and bronchioles?
Bronchus and bronchi have cartilage
Bronchioles do not
Each lobar (secondary) bronchus contains what?
Segmental bronchi, conducting bronchioles, terminal bronchioles, respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts
