Respiratory System 4: Lungs and Pleurae Flashcards
What do the right and left pulmonary cavities contain?
The lungs.
What lines the pulmonary cavities?
A pleural membrane (parietal pleura).
What does the parietal pleura reflect onto and cover?
The external surface of the lungs, forming the visceral pleura.
What is the difference between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura?
The parietal pleura lines the pulmonary cavity, while the visceral pleura covers the external surface of the lungs.
What is the main function of the lungs?
To oxygenate the blood by bringing inhaled air into close relation with the venous blood in the pulmonary capillaries.
What is the texture and size of the lungs in living people?
They are light, soft, spongy, and fully occupy the pulmonary cavities.
How do the lungs change when the thoracic cavity is opened?
They recoil to approximately one-third of their size.
Where do the apices of the lungs extend?
(apices = 2 apex’s = the top of lungs)
Above the level of the first rib into the root of the neck.
Name the lobes of the right lung.
Superior lobe, middle lobe, and inferior lobe.
Name the lobes of the left lung.
Superior lobe and inferior lobe.
What separates the lobes of the right lung?
The horizontal fissure and the oblique fissure.
What separates the lobes of the left lung?
The oblique fissure.
What unique feature does the left lung have at its inferior aspect?
The lingula.
What part of the lung contains many impressions from neighboring structures?
The mediastinal surface of the lung.
What does the mediastinal surface include?
The hilum.
What is the function of the impressions on the mediastinal surface?
They are grooves created by neighboring structures resting on the lung’s surface.
What is the cardiac notch?
An indentation on the left lung caused by the apex of the heart.
What does the cardiac notch shape?
It shapes the most inferior and anterior part of the superior lobe into a tongue-like lingula.
What is the lingula
A tongue-like projection of the superior lobe of the left lung
What is the hilum of the lung?
The doorway through which the root of the lung passes.
What structures make up the roots of the lungs?
Main bronchi and associated bronchial vessels
Pulmonary arteries
Superior and inferior pairs of pulmonary veins
Pulmonary plexuses of nerves
Lymph nodes (not all visible on specimens)
What is the pulmonary ligament?
A structure formed by the continuity between the parietal and visceral pleurae inferior to the root of the lung.
What is the general arrangement of the main bronchus at the hilum of the right lung?
Posterior
What is the general arrangement of the pulmonary veins at the hilum of the right lung?
Anteriormost and inferiormost
What is the general arrangement of the pulmonary artery at the hilum of the right lung?
Positioned between the main bronchus and superior pulmonary vein
What is the general arrangement of the main bronchus at the hilum of the left lung?
Posterior
What is the general arrangement of the pulmonary veins at the hilum of the left lung?
Anteriormost and inferiormost
What is the general arrangement of the pulmonary artery at the hilum of the left lung?
Superiormost
What is the pleural cavity?
The potential space between the two layers of pleura containing serous pleural fluid, which lubricates the pleural surfaces and allows smooth sliding during respiration.
What role does surface tension of pleural fluid play?
It provides the cohesion that keeps the lung surface in contact with the thoracic wall, allowing the lung to expand and fill with air when the thorax expands.
What does the visceral pleura cover?
It covers and adheres to the surfaces of the lungs, including those within the horizontal and oblique fissures.
whats the order of the lining of the cavities and lungs, from outside to inside
What is the relationship between the parietal pleura and visceral pleura?
The visceral pleura is continuous with the parietal pleura at the hilum of the lung, where structures such as the bronchi and pulmonary vessels enter and leave the lungs.
What 3 places does the parietal pleura line?
The parietal pleura lines the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm.
What is the endothoracic fascia?
A thin layer of loose connective tissue that separates the pleura from the thoracic wall. It is not well seen in embalmed donors.
What does the costal part of the parietal pleura cover?
It covers the internal surfaces of the thoracic wall facing the ribs.
What does the mediastinal part of the parietal pleura cover?
It faces the lateral aspect of the mediastinum.
What does the diaphragmatic part of the parietal pleura cover?
It covers the superior surface of the diaphragm.
What does the cervical part of the parietal pleura cover?
It covers the apex of the lung.