Trachea, Bronchi And Bronchioles Flashcards
What does the trachea do?
It is the widest conducting airway however it has the smallest total cross sectional area and therefore is responsible for most of the airway resistance
How does the trachea prevent collapse on inspiration?
It is surrounded and supported by rings of hyaline cartilage which can be easily felt at the base of the neck
What does the trachea bifurcate into?
Two primary or main bronchi which enter the lung
Where does birfucation of the trachea occur?
Occurs at vertebral level T4
What is special and important about vertebral level T4?
It is the level of the sternal angle, it is the level where the the trachea birfurcate into the two main bronchi, it is the level of the arch of the aorta and it is where the second rib articulates with the sternum
What is the sternal angle?
The angle between the manubrium and body of the sternum
What is the structure of the right bronchus?
Is wider and shorter and runs more vertically than the left main bronchus to enter the hilum of the lung
What is the structure of the left main bronchus?
More horizontally and runs inferior to the arch of the aorta and anterior to the oesophagus and thoracic aorta to teach the hilum of the lung
What do the primary bronchi divide up into?
Divide up to 11 times into smaller and small bronchi
What are the bronchi’s supposed by?
Rings of cartilage
What do the main bronchi first divide into?
Secondary/lobar bronchi, one per lobe of each lung
What do the secondary/lobar bronchi divide into?
Tertiary/segmental bronchi
How many generations of airway form the conducting zone of the lower respiratory system?
17 generations - 16 branches and the trachea
When can bronchioles be found?
At the 12 division of the bronchi airways
Describe the bronchioles
Small, collapsible passageways with smooth muscle walls
