Veterinary Anatomy I: Cardiorespiratory, Lungs, Pleuras, Thoracic Vessels

Flashcards covering major arterial branching patterns, venous drainage, lymphatic vessels, and anatomical structures of the thorax, lungs, trachea, and esophagus, based on lecture notes.

What is the general distribution area of the brachiocephalic trunk?

The brachiocephalic trunk supplies the head and the right thoracic limb.

What is the general distribution area of the superficial cervical artery?

The superficial cervical artery supplies the base of the neck and the adjacent scapular region.

When speaking of arteries, what term is used to describe blood flow away from the heart?

When speaking of arteries, we say a given artery 'branches into' other arteries.

When speaking of veins, what term is used to describe blood flow toward the heart?

When speaking of veins, we say a given vein is 'formed by' the confluence of two or more smaller veins.

What structures are contained within the thorax?

The thorax contains walls, pleura, heart, lungs, trachea & esophagus, arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels, and autonomic and somatic nerves.

What lobes does the right lung consist of?

The right lung consists of the cranial, middle, caudal, and accessory lobes.

Where is the cardiac notch located in the right lung?

The cardiac notch in the right lung is located at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal spaces.

What is the basal (caudal) border of the lung?

The basal (caudal) border of the lung is located at the 10th intercostal space.

What is a hilus?

A hilus is a groove, cleft, or space in an organ where blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, and other ducts enter or exit.

What lobes does the left lung consist of?

The left lung consists of the cranial lobe (cranial and caudal parts) and the caudal lobe.

What forms the skeleton of the trachea?

Approximately 35 C-shaped hyaline cartilages form the skeleton of the trachea.

What are the two main portions of the trachea?

The two main portions of the trachea are the cervical part and the thoracic part.

What is the carina of the trachea?

The carina is the ridge of the last tracheal cartilage, located at the tracheal bifurcation.

What is the order of the bronchial tree, starting from the trachea?

Trachea -> Principal (primary, mainstem) bronchi -> Lobar (secondary) bronchi -> Segmental (tertiary) bronchi -> Bronchioles -> Alveoli.

What is the function of pulmonary ligaments?

Pulmonary ligaments connect the lungs to the mediastinum and stabilize the caudal lung lobes.

What is unique about the tunica muscularis of the esophagus in dogs?

In dogs, the tunica muscularis of the esophagus is composed entirely of skeletal muscle throughout its length.

What is unique about the tunica muscularis of the esophagus in cats?

In cats, there is a transition from skeletal to smooth muscle in the esophagus, with smooth muscle being predominant in the caudal 1/3.

What major arteries branch off the Aortic arch?

The Aortic arch branches into the left subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk.

What arteries arise from the ascending aorta?

The ascending aorta gives rise to the right and left coronary arteries.

What vessels originate from the brachiocephalic trunk?

The brachiocephalic trunk gives rise to the left common carotid artery, right common carotid artery, and right subclavian artery.

From where do dorsal intercostal arteries 4-13 arise?

Dorsal intercostal arteries 4-13 arise directly from the aorta.

From where do ventral intercostal arteries arise?

Ventral intercostal arteries arise from the internal thoracic artery.

Which azygos vein typically develops in dogs and cats?

Only the right azygos vein usually develops in dogs and cats.

What does the azygos vein collect blood from?

The azygos vein collects blood from the dorsal intercostal veins.

Where does the azygos vein typically drain?

The azygos vein typically drains into the cranial vena cava or the right atrium.

What is the course and drainage of the thoracic duct?

The thoracic duct carries lymph from the cisterna chyli to the venous system cranial to the heart, usually draining into the jugular vein, cranial vena cava, or left brachiocephalic vein.

What is the general location of the thoracic duct in the dog at the level of the heart?

In the dog, at the level of the heart, the thoracic duct passes obliquely from the right to the left, crossing the esophagus.

What is the mediastinum?

The mediastinum is a median partition in the thorax, a space between the right and left pleural sacs, containing the heart, trachea, esophagus, lymph nodes, thymus, vessels, and nerves.

What structures are contained within the mediastinum?

The mediastinum contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, lymph nodes, thymus, vessels, and nerves.

What is the plica vena cava?

The plica vena cava is a thin, loose fold of pleura that surrounds the caudal vena cava and right phrenic nerve.