Anatomy and Physiology

What are the components of pulmonary structure?

Pulmonary structure comprises the left ventricle, left atrium, and great vessels (e.g., aorta, pulmonary arteries) that transport blood to and from the lungs.

What are the components of the thoracic cage?

The thoracic cage includes the manubrium, true ribs (1-7), body of the sternum, costal cartilage, vertebrochondral ribs (8-10), and floating ribs (11-12).

What are the pleurae?

The pleurae are two membranes covering the lungs: parietal pleura (lines the thoracic cavity) and visceral pleura (covers lung surface).

What are the lobes of the lungs?

The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior) and the left lung has two lobes (superior, inferior with lingula).

What is the hilum?

The hilum is the area connecting the lungs to supporting structures; it serves as the entry/exit for bronchi, pulmonary arteries, and veins.

What is ventilation?

Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

What is respiration?

Respiration is the biochemical gas exchange occurring at the alveolar level.

What is the structure of the alveoli?

Alveoli are tiny air sacs (approximately 300 million in each lung) where gas exchange occurs.

What are the gas transport mechanisms?

Oxygen is primarily carried by hemoglobin (as oxyhemoglobin); carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ions and bound to hemoglobin.

What is the V/Q ratio?

The ventilation-perfusion ratio; an ideal ratio of 1 indicates efficient gas exchange.

What are lung volumes?

Lung volumes include tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, and residual volume.

What are lung capacities?

Lung capacities include total lung capacity, vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, and functional residual capacity.