Structure of the lungs Flashcards
What is the trachea?
C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage supporting a fibro-elastic and muscular air transport tube
How many lobes does each lung have?
right - 3
left - 2
Why do foreign bodies enter the right lung over the left lung?
the right bronchus is more vertical, shorter and wider than the left
What do the bronchioles divide into?
alveoli
What is the function of alveoli?
where gaseous exchange takes place
What is the histology of the trachea?
pseudostratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium with goblet cells
How are the alveoli separated from one another?
septae
What are the pleura?
the membranes which line the organs within the cavity as well as the cavity wall
What is the root of the lung called?
hilium
How are the left and right lungs separated from one another?
mediastinum
What are intercostal muscles and their function?
muscles between the ribs - assist respiration by expanding the size of the thoracic cavity during inhalation
How does a pneumothorax occur?
occurs when the air enters into the pleural cavity to give a collapsed lung
