Thorax: Pleura and Lungs Flashcards
Divisions of the Thoracic Cavity
- Pulmonary cavities
- Mediastinum
Pulmonary Cavities
- Lungs
- Pleurae (pleural cavity)
Mediastinum
- Between pulmonary cavities
- Contains all other thoracic structures
Pleurae
- Double layer cavity that surround the lungs
Mediastinum
- Anything that is not the lungs or pleura
Pleural Sac
- 2 continuous membranes that enclose the lungs
- Visceral Pleura
- Parietal Pleura
Visceral Pleura
- Covers the surface of the lung
- Lacks nociceptive innervation
Parietal Pleura
- Lines thoracic wall/mediastinum
- Somatic innervation, nociceptive innervations
- Intercostals and phrenic nerves
- Named based on location
Hila
- Parietal and visceral layers are continuous with each other at the lung at this site
Pleural Cavity
- Space between pleural layers
- Contains serous fluid secreted by the pleurae
Endothoracic Fascia
- Fascial layer
- Separates parietal pleura from inner thoracic wall and diaphragm
- Cleavage plane
Costal Pleura
- Parietal pleura that covers inner thoracic wall
- Lining the ribs
Diaphragmatic Pleura
- Parietal Pleura that covers superior diaphragm
Mediastinal Pleura
- Parietal pleura that covers mediastinum
- Lateral reflection covers root of lung and is continuous with visceral pleura
Cervical Pleura (Cupola)
- Parietal pleura that covers apex of the lung
- Extension of mediastinal and costal pleura through thoracic inlet
Suprapleural Membrane (Sibson Fascia)
- Extension of endothoracic fascia from rib 1 to C7 TP
- Protects lung apex, encloses thoracic cavity
- Penetrating trauma above the clavicle can damage the parietal pleural, suprapleural membrane, and lung apex
Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
- Inflammation, irritation of pleural membrane
- Pleural layers rub instead of glide past each other
- Chest pain with respiration
- Can also have back, neck and shoulder pain
Root of the Lung
- Mediastinal structures going to the lung
Sternal Lines of Pleural Reflection
- Junction of mediastinal and costal pleurae anteriorly
- Left and right in contact between ribs 2-4
- Left deviates laterally at rib 4 vs. 6 on right (clinically important)
Costal Lines of Pleural Reflection
- Costal pleura continuous with diaphragmatic pleura
- Left line begins more lateral
- Midclavicular, midaxillary, and posterior
Midclavicular Line
- Rib 8
Midaxillary Line
- Rib 10
Posterior Line
- Rib 12
Costodiaphragmatic Recess (Gutter)
- Potential space in pleural cavity
- Jxn of costal and diaphragmatic pleurae
- Lungs do not fill pulmonary cavity (except with deep inspiration)
Costomediastinal Recesses
- Potential space at border of costal and mediastinal pleurae
- Left is larger than right
Pleural Space Pathology
- Hydrothorax: fluid
- Hemothorax: blood
- Chylothorax: lymph
- Pneumothorax: air
Hydrothorax
- Fluid
Hemothorax
- Blood