Structure of the Lungs, Bronchi, and Pleura

Question 1

What does the conducting zone include?

Answer 1

\+ Nose, nasal cavity and sinuses
\+ Nasopharynx and soft palate
\+ Pharynx
\+ Larynx
\+ Bronchi 
\+ Bronchioles

Question 2

Describe the structure of the trachea

Answer 2

+ C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage

+ Supports a fibro-elastic and muscular air-transport tube

+ Trachealis muscle (posteriorly positioned) alters tracheal diameter

Question 3

Where is the trachea located?

Answer 3

+ Palpable anteriorly
+ Above suprasternal notch
+ Starts at C6
+ Ends at T4/5 (sternal angle) at carina

Question 4

What is the role of the trachea?

Answer 4

+ Connects the mouth and nose to the lungs

+ Transports air via the mouth and nose to the lungs

Question 5

What is the difference between the left and right lung concerning lobes?

Answer 5

+ Left lung has 2 lobes

+ Right lunch has 3 lobes

Question 6

Describe the main bronchus of the right lung in comparison to the left lung

Answer 6

+ Slightly more vertical
+ Shorter
+ Wider

Question 7

Describe the main bronchus of the left lung in comparison to the right lung

Answer 7

+ Slightly less vertical
+ Longer
+ Narrower

Question 8

What is more likely to happen to the right lung, and why?

Answer 8

Foreign bodies are more likely to enter the right lung due to the size and shape of the main bronchus

Question 9

What structures are the result of the main bronchus diverging in the left lung?

Answer 9

+ Left superior lobar bronchus

+ Left inferior lobar bronchus

Question 10

What structures are the result of the main bronchus diverging in the right lung?

Answer 10

+ Right superior lobar bronchus
+ Right middle lobar bronchus
+ Right inferior lobar bronchus

Question 11

What does each lobar bronchus divide into?

Answer 11

Segmental bronchi

Question 12

Via which blood vessels are the bronchi supplied with oxygenated blood?

Answer 12

Bronchial arteries

Question 13

What is the sequence of division of the bronchi, before becoming alveoli?

Answer 13

Bronchi 
> conducting bronchioles 
> terminal bronchioles 
> respiratory bronchioles 
> alveoli

Question 14

What type of epithelium is present in the trachea?

Answer 14

Pseudostratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium with goblet cells (for mucous secretion)

Question 15

What type of epithelium is present in bronchi?

Answer 15

Pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium but the height is more decreased (flattened) compared to the trachea.

Question 16

What happens as the bronchi branch into the lungs?

Answer 16

The C-shaped cartilage rings are replaced by cartilage plates

Question 17

What type of epithelium is present in the bronchioles?

Answer 17

Ciliated, columnar (thinner/flatter)

Question 18

Describe the structure of the bronchioles as they form?

Answer 18

+ Surrounding band of smooth muscle

+ Cartilage and bands disappear

+ Bronchiole is held open by surrounding lung tissue

Question 19

What happens to the smooth muscle of the bronchiole in asthma?

Answer 19

The smooth muscle in the wall may excessively narrow the lumen

Question 20

What epithelia are present in terminal and respiratory bronchioles?

Answer 20

Non-ciliated, cuboidal (thinner and flatter) and goblet cells disappear

Question 21

What are alveoli?

Answer 21

Basic structural and functional unit of the lung where gaseous exchange takes place

Question 22

Where are alveoli found?

Answer 22

+ As outpocketings of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs

Question 23

How are alveoli separated from one another?

Answer 23

By septae (alveolar walls): a thin membrane containing capillaries

Question 24

What is the function of septae?

Answer 24

+ To separate alveoli from one another

+ Act as the air-blood barrier for gas exhcange

Question 25

What are pleura?

Answer 25

Membranes which cover/line the organs within a cavity as well as the cavity walls

Question 26

What is the pleural cavity?

Answer 26

+ The space between the layers of pleura

Question 27

What does the pleural cavity contain?

Answer 27

Fluid to lubricate the pleural surfaces allowing for smooth, gliding movements between the surfaces

Question 28

What is the pleura covering the lungs referred to as?

Answer 28

Visceral/pulmonary pleura

Question 29

What are the parietal pleura?

Answer 29

Membranes which cover/line the cavity walls

Question 30

What are the different parietal pleura?

Answer 30

+ Cervical + Costal + Diaphragmatic + Mediastinal

Question 31

How are the lungs separated?

Answer 31

By the mediastnum

Question 32

Why is the left lung slight longer and narrower than the right?

Answer 32

To make room for the heart and pericardium

Question 33

What area the structural landmarks of the left lung?

Answer 33

``` + Apex + Oblique fissure + Cardiac notch + Lingula + Superior lobe + Inferior lobe ```

Question 34

What is the hilum?

Answer 34

+The 'root of the lung' + Where structures pass into and out of the lung

Question 35

What structures pass in and out of the lung via the hilum?

Answer 35

+ Main bronchus + Pulmonary artery + Pulmonary veins

Question 36

What are the structural landmarks of the right lung?

Answer 36

``` + Apex + Horizontal/transverse fissure + Oblique fissure + Superior lobe + Middle Lobe + Inferior lobe ```

Question 37

Why is the right lung slightly wider but shorter than the left lung?

Answer 37

Mainly sue to the right dome of the diaphragm being higher on the left side

Question 38

Where is the apex of the lungs and pleura with regards to surface anatomy?

Answer 38

Above the clavicle

Question 39

Inferiorly, where does the pleura and the lungs extend to, with regards to surface anatomy?

Answer 39

+ The pleura extends down to the costal margin + The lungs end 2 rib spaces higher

Question 40

How does respiration vary?

Answer 40

+ Respiration varies from quiet during rest through to a range of forced respirations during severe exercise or respiratory distress

Question 41

How does air get sucked into the lungs via the trachea and larynx?

Answer 41

Inhalation/inspiration must increase the diameters of the thorax to create a negative pressure

Question 42

What does diaphragmatic contraction do?

Answer 42

It causes decent, increasing its vertical diameter

Question 43

What does elevation of the ribs (with assistance from intercostal muscles) achieve?

Answer 43

+ Pushes the sternum up and forwards + Pushes the ribs out + Increases the anteroposterior and lateral diameters

Question 44

How is exhalation/expiration achieved?

Answer 44

By muscle relaxation (passive) and elastic recoil (remember high amount of elastic tissue in lungs and bronchi)

Question 45

Describe the features of the diaphragm

Answer 45

+ Muscular at its periphery + Tendinous centrally + Left and right domes

Question 46

From where does the motor and sensory supply come from?

Answer 46

Phrenic nerve (C3,4,5)

Question 47

What is a pneumothorax?

Answer 47

A collapsed lung

Question 48

How does a pneumothorax occur?

Answer 48

When air enters into the pleural cavity

Question 49

When dealing with a pneumothorax, why is the needle inserted just above the rib?

Answer 49

To avoid the neurovascular bundle that runs inferior to each rib