Trachea, Bronchi, and Lungs

Question 1

Where does the trachea begin?

Answer 1

Inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)

Question 2

What is the significance of the C-shaped cartilaginous rings of the trachea?

Answer 2

Prevent the trachea from collapsing

Question 3

About how many C-shaped rings make up the trachea?

Answer 3

15-20

Question 4

To which direction do the C-shaped rings of the trachea open?

Answer 4

Posteriorly

Question 5

What spans the posterior opening of the trachea’s cartilaginous rings?

Answer 5

Trachealis muscle

Question 6

How long is the trachea?

Answer 6

9-15 cm

Question 7

Where does the trachea bifurcate into the main bronchi?

Answer 7

At the sternal angle (intervertebral disc of T4 and T5)

Question 8

What is the carina of the trachea?

Answer 8

Prominent ridge located at its bifurcation which separates the openings of the main bronchi

Question 9

What does carina mean?

Answer 9

Keel (of a boat)

Question 10

Where does the trachea lie in reference to the esophagus?

Answer 10

Anterior

Question 11

Where does the trachea lie in reference to the arch of the aorta?

Answer 11

Posterior

Question 12

In which direction does the trachea deviate just before its bifurcation?

Answer 12

Right

Question 13

Why does the trachea deviate to the right just before its bifurcation?

Answer 13

For the passage of the aortic arch

Question 14

What are the characteristics of the right main bronchus?

Answer 14

Shorter, wider, and more vertical

Question 15

What is the pathway of the right main bronchus?

Answer 15

Passes under the arch of the azygos vein

Question 16

Where does the right main bronchus give off the superior lobar bronchus?

Answer 16

BEFORE entering the hilum

Question 17

Where does the right main bronchus divide into the middle and inferior lobar bronchi?

Answer 17

Within the hilum

Question 18

Both the right and left main bronchi divide into how many segmental bronchi?

Answer 18

10

Question 19

The right main bronchus has how many lobar bronchi?

Answer 19

3

Question 20

What are the characteristics of the left main bronchus?

Answer 20

Longer, narrower, and more horizontal

Question 21

What is the pathway of the left main bronchus?

Answer 21

Passes anterior to the esophagus

Question 22

Where does the left main bronchus divide into the superior and inferior lobar bronchi?

Answer 22

Within the hilum of the lung

Question 23

The left main bronchus has how many lobar bronchi?

Answer 23

2

Question 24

Why does the left main bronchus only have two lobar bronchi?

Answer 24

There is no middle lobe on the left lung

Question 25

What type of individuals are more likely to aspirate foreign objects?

Answer 25

Children

Question 26

Foreign objects are typically aspired into which main bronchus and why?

Answer 26

Right main bronchus due to its wide, short, and vertical arrangement

Question 27

Where is the lowest point in the tracheobronchial tree where the cough reflex is mechanically initiated?

Answer 27

Carina

Question 28

What covers the carina?

Answer 28

A sensitive mucous membrane

Question 29

What can occur once a foreign object passes the carina and the coughing reflex is stopped?

Answer 29

Chemical bronchitis and atelectasis

Question 30

What arteries make up the blood supply to the trachea?

Answer 30

Inferior thyroid artery and bronchial arteries

Question 31

What is the innervation of the trachea?

Answer 31

Vagus nerve and sympathetic trunk