Respiratory Anatomy

Question 1

Histologically, what makes up the bronchi?

Answer 1

Cartilage, goblet cells and glands extend to the end of the bronchi

Question 2

Histologically, how far do the Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Cells extend?

Answer 2

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells (clear mucus from lungs) extend from the bronchi to BEGINNING of terminal bronchioles, then they transition to cuboidal cells

Question 3

Histologically, how far do the airway smooth muscle cells extend?

Answer 3

They extend from the bronchi to the END of terminal bronchioles (sparse beyond this point)

Question 4

What is the function of the conducting zone?

Answer 4

Warms, humidifies and filters air but does not participate in gas exchange, considered “anatomic dead space”

Question 5

What structures make up the conducting zone (large airways + small airways)?

Answer 5

Large airways: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi

Small airways: bronchioles that further divide to terminal bronchioles

Question 6

What is the function of the respiratory zone?

Answer 6

Participates in gas exchange

Question 7

What structures make up the respiratory zone?

Answer 7

Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli

everything distal to the terminal bronchioles

Question 8

Histologically, which cells make up the respiratory bronchioles?

Answer 8

Cuboidal cells

Question 9

Histologically, which cells make up the alveoli?

Answer 9

Simple Squamous Cells

alveolar macrophages clear debris and participate in immune response

Question 10

When do cilia terminate?

Answer 10

In respiratory bronchioles

Question 11

Which type of pneumocyte is more abundant in the alveoli?

Answer 11

Type I (make up 97% of alveolar surfaces)

Question 12

Which type of pneumocyte secretes surfactant?

Answer 12

Type II

Question 13

Which type of pneumocyte proliferates during lung damage?

Answer 13

Type II

Type II cells serve as precursors to Type I cells and other Type II cells

Question 14

Which type of pneumocyte is squamous?

Answer 14

Type I, which are more abundant and line the alveoli, are squamous; thin for optimal gas diffusion

Question 15

Which type of pneumocyte is cuboidal and clustered?

Answer 15

Type II

Question 16

What is the function of surfactant?

Answer 16

Decreases alveolar surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse (atelectasis)

Question 17

What type of cells are Club (Clara) Cells and where are they found?

Answer 17

Nonciliated; low-columnar/cuboidal with secretory granules

Found in the bronchioles, NOT in the alveoli

Question 18

What is the function of Club (Clara) Cells?

Answer 18

Secrete a component of surfactant

Degrade toxins via the cytochrome P450 pathway

Act as reserve cells

Question 19

What is the equation for collapsing pressure?

Answer 19

Collapsing Pressure (P) = 2 (surface tension) / Radius

Question 20

At what stage of breathing do alveoli have the greatest tendency to collapse?

Answer 20

Expiration b/c the radius decreases as air is expired from the lungs (law of Laplace)

Question 21

What is the major component of pulmonary surfactant?

Answer 21

It’s a complex mix of lecithins, the most important of which is: dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine

Question 22

What does surfactant synthesis begin during gestation and when are mature levels achieved?

Answer 22

Begins around week 26

Mature levels are achieved at week 35

Question 23

What lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio in the amniotic fluid indicates fetal lung maturity?

Answer 23

> 2

Question 24

How many lobes are in the right lung?

Answer 24

3 lobes (superior, middle and inferior)

Question 25

How many lobes are in the left lung?

Answer 25

2 lobes (superior and inferior)

Left Has Less Lobes and Lingula

Question 26

At what rib level can the horizontal fissure be found and which lobes does it separate?

Answer 26

At the level of the 4th rib

It separates the superior lobe and the middle lobe

Question 27

At what rib level can the oblique fissure be found and which lobes does it separate?

Answer 27

At the level of the 6th rib

It separates the middle lobe and the inferior lobe

Question 28

Which lung is a more common site for inhaled foreign bodies?

Answer 28

Right lung b/c the right main stem bronchus is wider and more vertical than the left

Question 29

If you aspirate a peanut upright, where in the lung is it most likely to end up?

Answer 29

lower portion of the right inferior lobe

Question 30

If you aspirate a peanut while supine, where in the lung is it most likely to end up?

Answer 30

superior portion of the right infior lobe

Question 31

Where are the artery and bronchus located in the bronchial segment?

Answer 31

Center

Question 32

Where are the veins and lymphatics located in the bronchial segment?

Answer 32

Edges

Question 33

What is the relation of the pulmonary artery to the bronchus at each lung hilum?

Answer 33

RALS: Right Anterior; Left Superior

Question 34

What structure passes through the diaphragm at T8?

Answer 34

IVC

I (IVC) ate (8) ten (10) eggs (esophagus) at (aorta) twelve (12)

Question 35

What structure passes through the diaphragm at T10?

Answer 35

esophagus, vagus (CN 10; 2 trunks)

I (IVC) ate (8) ten (10) eggs (esophagus) at (aorta) twelve (12)

Question 36

What structure passes through the diaphragm at T12?

Answer 36

aorta, thoracic duct and azygos vein

I (IVC) ate (8) ten (10) eggs (esophagus) at (aorta) twelve (12)

Question 37

What innervates the diaphragm?

Answer 37

Phrenic Nerve (C3, C4, C5)

C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive

Question 38

Where is pain from the diaphragm (e.g. air or blood in peritoneal cavity) referred?

Answer 38

Shoulder (C5) and Trapezius ridge (C3, C4)

Question 39

Where does the common carotid bifurcate?

Answer 39

C4

Question 40

Where does the trachea bifurcate?

Answer 40

T4

Question 41

Where does the abdominal aorta bifurcate?

Answer 41

L4