Respiratory System Anatomy-2 Flashcards
What are the main anatomical features of the respiratory tract and gross anatomical features of the lung?
The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
The lower respiratory tract includes the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.
Lungs are paired organs located in the thoracic cavity, with the right lung having three lobes and the left lung having two lobes, accommodating the heart’s position.
What are the basic structural features of the lower respiratory tract, including the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and their blood supply, nerve supply, and lymphatic drainage?
Trachea: A rigid tube supported by cartilage, conducting air to the bronchi.
Bronchi: The trachea divides into right and left primary bronchi, which then divide into secondary (lobar) and tertiary (segmental) bronchi.
Bronchioles: Smaller branches of the bronchi that lack cartilage and lead to alveolar ducts and alveoli.
Blood supply: The bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to the lungs, while the pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange.
Nerve supply: The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation (bronchoconstriction), and the sympathetic nervous system causes bronchodilation.
Lymphatic drainage: Lymph from the lungs drains into the pulmonary lymph nodes and then into the bronchopulmonary nodes.
What are the structural and functional features of the lungs and alveoli?
The lungs are spongy organs divided into lobes, containing numerous bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
Alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. They have a large surface area, are surrounded by capillaries, and are composed of a thin epithelial layer to facilitate the diffusion of gases.
Function: The lungs facilitate gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out) via the alveoli. They also help regulate blood pH and assist with the filtration of blood.
What are the structural features of the pleura?
The pleura is a double-layered serous membrane surrounding each lung.
The visceral pleura covers the lung’s surface, while the parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity.
The pleural cavity between the two layers contains a small amount of serous fluid, reducing friction during lung movement and enabling smooth expansion and contraction.
What is the clinical anatomy of the lungs and pleura?
Clinical conditions related to the lungs:
Pneumonia (infection of the lung tissue)
Pulmonary embolism (blockage of a pulmonary artery)
Emphysema (damage to alveoli leading to difficulty in exhalation)
Clinical conditions related to the pleura:
Pleural effusion (accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity)
Pleuritis (inflammation of the pleura, causing chest pain)
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung due to air in the pleural space)
Hydrothorax (fluid buildup in the pleura, often associated with heart failure).
