Trachea (dave's notes)

Question 1

Where does the trachea commence?

Answer 1

A continuation of the larynx, the trachea commences at C6 and extends just below the border of the manubrium (approximately 10cm).
See page 433 for cervical part

Question 2

Describe the course of the thoracic part of the trachea

Answer 2

The thoracic part runs through the superior mediastinum in front of the oesophagus to the upper part of the posterior mediastinum

Question 3

What are the anterior relationships of the trachea?

Answer 3

Anteriorly to the trachea is the manubrium, with sternohyoid and sternothyroid on each side. The brachiocephalic trunk and the left common carotid artery diverge on either side.

Question 4

What are the right sided relations of the trachea?

Answer 4

Anterolateral is the right brachiocephalic vein and SVC. More laterally is the vagus nerve and the arch of the azygous vein.

Question 5

What are the left sided relations of the trachea?

Answer 5

The left common carotid and the left subclavian artery. the aortic arch, and the left recurrent laryngeal nerve passes up in the groove between the trachea and oesophagus.

Question 6

What occurs to the left of the tracheal bifurcation?

Answer 6

The pulmonary trunk branches to the left of the tracheal bifurcation in front of the left bronchus.

Question 7

What is the blood supply to the trachea?

Answer 7

From the inferior thyroid artery and the bronchial arteries

Question 8

Where is the venous drainage of the trachea?

Answer 8

To the inferior thyroid plexus

Question 9

Where does tracheal lymph drain to?

Answer 9

To the posteroinferior group of deep cervical nodes and to paratracheal nodes.

Question 10

What is the nerve supply to the trachea?

Answer 10

Mucous membrane is supplied by afferents from the vagi and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. sympathetic fibres from the upper trunk ganglia supply smooth muscles and vessels

Question 11

Describe the general structure of the vagus

Answer 11

15-20 horse-shoe shaped rings, which are spring loaded and bound to ether by transverse musles

Question 12

Describe the histological structure of the trachea

Answer 12

The mucous membrane is of typical respiratory type epithelium with pseudo stratified columnar epithelium, goblet cells, mucous glands and scattered lymphoid nodules.