Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the midclavicular line?
The midclavicular line bisects the center of each clavicle at a point halfway between
the palpated sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints
What are the 3 sections of the Thoracic Cavity?
- Mediastinum: middle cavity
- Right pleural cavity
- Left pleural cavity
How many pairs of ribs make up the sternum?
12
How many pairs of ribs make up the thoracic vertebrae?
12
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks
1) Suprasternal Notch
2) Sternum
3) Sternal Angle
4) Costal Angle
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks: Suprasternal Notch
Feel this hollow U-shaped depression just above the sternum, between the
clavicles.
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks: Sternum
The “breastbone” has three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid
process. Walk your fingers down the manubrium a few centimeters until you feel
a distinct bony ridge, the sternal angle
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks: Sternal angle
Often called the angle of Louis, this is the articulation of the manubrium and
body of the sternum, and it is continuous with the 2nd rib. The angle of Louis is
a useful place to start counting ribs, which helps localize a respiratory finding
horizontally
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks: Costal Angle
The right and left costal margins form an angle where they meet at the xiphoid process
What are the Posterior Thoracic Landmarks?
1) Vertebral Prominens
2) Spinous Process
3) Inferior Border of the Scapula
4) Twelfth Rib
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks: Vertebral Prominens
Flex your head and feel for the most prominent bony spur protruding at the base of the neck. This is the spinous process of C7
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks: Spinous Processes
Count down these knobs on the vertebrae, which stack together to form the
spinal column
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks: Inferior Border of the Scapula
The scapulae are located symmetrically in each hemithorax. The lower tip is
usually at the 7th or 8th rib
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks: Twelfth Rib
Palpate midway between the spine and the person’s side to identify its free tip
Reference Lines on the Anterior Chest
- Anterior Axillary Line
- Midsternal Line
- Midclavicular Line
Reference Lines on the Posterior Chest
- Scapular Line
- Vertebral Line
Reference lines on the lateral side of the chest
- Anterior Axillary line
- Posterior axillary line
- Midaxillary line
What is the apex of the anterior chest?
the anterior chest the apex, or highest point, of lung tissue is 3 to 4 cm above
the inner third of the clavicles.
What is the base of the anterior chest?
lower border, rests on the diaphragm
at about the 6th rib in the midclavicular line
Where does lateral lung tissue extend from?
Laterally lung tissue extends from the apex of the axilla down to the 7th or 8th rib
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 (upper and lower)
What are 3 things to keep in mind when assessing the lungs?
- The left lung has no middle lobe
- The anterior chest contains mostly upper and middle lobe with very little lower lobe
- The posterior chest contains almost all lower lobe
Pleurae
are serous membranes that form an envelope between
the lungs and the chest wall
What are the 4 major functions of the respiratory system?
(1) supplying oxygen
to the body for energy production;
(2) removing carbon dioxide as a waste
product of energy reactions;
(3) maintaining homeostasis (acid-base balance) of
arterial blood; and
(4) maintaining heat exchange
What controls respirations?
Mediated by the brainstem (pons and medulla)
The normal stimulus to
breathe for most of us is an increase of carbon dioxide in the blood, or
hypercapnia.
What are older adult considerations with the respiratory system?
The costal cartilages become calcified- thus the thorax is less mobile
Respiratory muscle strength declines
Elasticity of the lungs changes and makes them less distensible and lessening their tendency to collapse and recoil
The aging lung is a more rigid structure that is harder to inflate
Increase in small airway closure
Less surface area is available for gas exchange
Thorax more rounded
Alveoli more rigid
Decreased function of cilia leads to pooling secretions
Risk for pneumonia
Smaller breaths
Lung bases become less ventilated as a result of closing off a number of airways (increases risk for dyspnea)
What is subjective data that the examiner can ask when assessing the respiratory system?
- Cough (Productive or non-productive? sputum colour?)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain with breathing
- History of respiratory infections
- Smoking history
- Environmental exposure
- Patient-centered care
- Orthopnea
- Change in functional ability
- SOBOE?