stuff Flashcards
pleural effusion
Inflammation around the pleural membranes causes excess fluid accumulates in the pleural space,
Describe the vessels that enter through the hilus of the lung.
The hilum is a doorway for the bilateral main bronchi and pulmonary arteries to enter the lungs and for the two right and two left pulmonary veins to exit the lungs.`
Describe a thoracocentesis and where to perform one.
Sometimes it is necessary to insert a hypodermic needle through an intercostal space into the pleural cavity (thoracentesis) to obtain a sample of fluid or to remove blood or pus. To avoid
damage to the intercostal nerve and vessels, the needle is inserted superior to the rib, high enough to avoid the collateral branches. The needle passes through the intercostal muscles and
costal parietal pleura into the pleural cavity. When the patient is in the upright position, intrapleural fluid accumulates in the costodiaphragmatic recess. Inserting the needle into the 8th or 9th intercostal space in the midaxillary line during expiration will avoid the inferior border of the lung. The needle should be angled upward, to avoid penetrating the deep side of the recess.
Describe the proper way of classifying an artery versus a vein
With the exception of the pulmonary arteries and veins, an artery will always carry oxygenated blood and a vein will always carry deoxygenated blood. An artery will tend to have more smooth muscle and will appear thicker than a vein because they have to deal with greater pressures. A vein will have minimal smooth muscle and is also more compliant than an artery, meaning it can stretch and hold more blood than an artery can. Veins also have valves which are not found in arteries
Describe why pulmonary vessels are different compared to other vessels like themselves. (i.e. why is the pulmonary artery different from all other arteries, same with the pulmonary veins
Pulmonary vessels do not follow the general rule in terms of carrying oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood as they are carrying blood to the lungs, while pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood since they are returning blood to the heart that has recently passed through the lungs.
Describe the main artery of the body: the aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is the vessel that receives blood pumped by the left ventricle in order to distribute throughout the body. Being an artery, it’ll contain a great amount of smooth muscle in order to withstand the great pressure of blood being forced into it.
Name the 4 vessels which branch off from the arch of the aorta.
The arch of the aorta has 3 branches going from right to left: the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic artery immediately divides into the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery.
Describe the path of the vagus nerves and their function.
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve that contains motor and sensory fibers that pass through the neck, thorax, and go as far as the abdomen.
Define the recurrent laryngeal nerves and their function and why the left recurrent laryngeal nerve is at risk for injury.
The recurrent laryngeal nerves, both left and right, supply sensation to the larynx below the vocal cords and control the muscles that open the vocal cords. They run down the left and right side of the trachea, are not symmetrical, and also loop back up (the right recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the right subclavian artery and the left loops under the aortic arch). The left recurrent laryngeal nerve is very close to the apex of the left lung so it can be involved in apical lung cancers. Since the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the aortic arch, if there is an aneurysm in the aortic arch, this can impede on the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and cause paralysis of the left vocal cord fold.
Describe the return of systemic blood to the heart through the venae cavae
Systemic blood begins at the aorta which then divides into arteries in order to distribute blood throughout the body. These arteries further divides into arterioles (smaller arteries) which then turn into capillaries, the vessels that actually do the exchanging of nutrients and wastes. The capillaries begin to group again into small veins called venules which begin to further combine into veins which are very compliant vessels. These veins eventually meet to form the inferior and superior vena cava which then dump their blood into the right atrium of the heart.
Describe the bifurcation of the trachea and the level at which it occurs.
The trachea bifurcates (divides) into the main left and right bronchi at the level of spinal vertebrae T4-T5. The ridge of cartilage that arises at this bifurcation is known as the carina.
Describe the ligamentum arteriosis and its role in the fetus. What disease can result from improper closure of this structure?
The ligamentum arteriosum is a remnant of the fetal vessel known as the ductus arteriosus. In the fetus, this vessel allows blood to enter the aorta from the pulmonary trunk in order to bypass the lungs; this vessel/opening closes upon birth of the baby. If there is an improper closure, then the baby will suffer from a patent ductus arteriosus which can lead to congestive heart failure with increasing age.
