Respiratory Pathology Flashcards
What is the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases?
Tuberculosis, behind AIDS
How many lobes do the left and right lung have?
Right lung has 3 lobes, while the left lobe has 2
What lines the thoracic cavity?
Pleura, parietal pleura on the outermost, visceral pleura the innermost, with a pleural cavity separating them
The respiratory system contains defence mechanisms, name and explain some (8 on answer card)
Sneeze reflex - expels particles from the nose
Nasolacrimal reflex - chemical or mechanical stimulation of the nasal respiratory mucosa in increased lacrimal secretion
IgA among others - secreted into tissue plasma cells to bind and neutralise the antigen
Lactoferrin - lies underneath the mucosal layers, any bacteria that get through the mucous are inhibited from growing from it
Lysozyme - attacks peptidoglycans in the cell walls of gram-positive bacteria
Oligosaccharides - bind bacteria
Phagocytes - unleash oxygen species oxygenated compounds, kills them via hydrogen peroxide
What causes cystic fibrosis?
A deletion mutation in CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator) at q31.2 locus of chromosome 7
What do mutations in CFTR cause that leads to cystic fibrosis?
affect the transfer of salts and chlorides in and out of the cells that line the organs of the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems
How common is cystic fibrosis?
It is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disorder, 1:25 people are carriers of the gene
What symptoms does an individual with cystic fibrosis suffer from?
Unusually thick, sticky mucus that builds up and clogs the small airways and passages of the systems. As bacteria will get caught in this mucus, instead of being expelled in a normal individual it traps them leading to chronic infections
What is CLE?
Congenital lobular emphysema, which is an over-inflation of one or more lung lobes, usually due to a valve malfunction. It means that air can enter the lobe but not escape.
What are bronchogenic cysts?
Cysts that form around upper breastbone between collar bones, they are caused b y abnormal budding of the bronchial tree during embryogenesis
what is pulmonary hypoplasia?
A rare abnormality where entire lung fails to fully develop, usually seen as secondary pathology to other congenital disorders
What is Pierre-robin syndrome?
A group of developmental malformations such as micrognathia (small jaw) and glossoptosis (protruding as no room)
Describe bronchiectasis
It is a chronic necrotising infection that leads to the destruction of bronchial muscle and elastic tissue, causing irreversible bronchial dilation. It can be both acquired and congenital
During bronchiectasis, what happens to the affected airways?
They become inflamed, fibrotic and prone to collapse, creating obstructions
What is emphysema?
An abnormal permenant enlargement of alveoli distal to termianl bronchiole
