Respiratory Part 1

Question 1

Describe the trachea

Answer 1

Smooth muscular tube with 15-20 c shaped hyaline cartilage rings

Question 2

Describe the location of the trachea

Answer 2

Lower border of cricoid cartilage to bronchi (4-5 inches long ~ 1 inch in diameter)
Passes through superior and posterior mediastinae

Question 3

Describe the relationships of the trachea within the neck

Answer 3

Anterior - sternohyoid & sternothyroid, isthmus of thyroid gland (2nd/3rd rings) thyoidea ima artery
Posterior - esophagus
Lateral - lobes of thyroid gland, carotid artery, recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 4

Describe the relationships of the trachea in the thorax

Answer 4

Anterior - remains of thymus, left brachiocephalic vein, origins of brachiocephalic trunk & left common carotid artery, arch of aorta
Right side - pleura, r vagus, r brachiocephalic, Superior vena cava, root of azygos
Left side - L recurrent laryngeal, arch of aorta, L common carotid, L subclavian artery