Respiratory System Flashcards
Which rib attaches at the level of the sternal angle?
2nd Rib
What two membrane types are present in the respiratory system, and where?
Mucous membranes, bearing mucus secreted cells, line the conducting portion of the respiratory tract.
Serous membranes line the pleural sacs which envelope each lung. Parietal membrane and visceral membrane.
What lies in between the visceral and parietal serosa?
A thin layer of lubricating fluid
What is the medical term for air in the pleural cavity?
Pneumothorax
What is the name for blood in the pleural cavity?
Haemothorax
What is a pleural effusion?
When there is excess fluid in the pleural cavity
Why is it important that a chest drain is inserted above the superior border of the lower rib?
Intercostal veins, arteries and nerves lie in the costal groove in the inferior border of ribs. These must be avoided.
What is the danger associated with inserting a chest drain below the 7th intercostal space?
You may penetrate the diaphragm
How can cancer of the lung result in paralysis on one side of the diaphragm?
The tumour can impinge on either the left or right phrenic nerve, which supplies the diaphragm. On an X-ray, will show as elevation of the diaphragm dome.
Cancer in the apex of the lung can impinge on the brachial plexus, what would be the effect of this?
Wasting of the muscles in the lower arm, which are supplied by nerves extending from C8 and T1 the brachial plexus.
- Wasting of thenar eminence and interosseus muscles of the palm
- Clawing of the hand
What is another name for a tumour in the apex of the lung?
Pancoast tumour
What is the name of the disease which is caused by pancoast tumour suppression of the sympathetic trunk?
Horner’s syndrome
Characterised by a droopy upper eyelid (ptosis) and a constricted pupil (miosis)
A hoarse voice can be a symptom associated with what type of cancer of the lung?
Apex cancer which impinges on the left recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Where does the conducting portion of the respiratory tract extend from and to?
From the nasal cavity to bronchioles.
Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles.
What is classified as the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
Respiratory bronchioles to alveoli.
Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli
At what point does the respiratory system become ‘intrapulmonary’?
After the primary bronchi, which are extrapulmonary, the secondary bronchi are intrapulmonary.