Respiratory System and Thoracic Anatomy Overview

Vocabulary terms and anatomical structures related to the respiratory system, larynx cartilages, and thoracic cavity as described in the lecture notes.

Larynx

The voice box, which contains nine cartilages consisting of three single and three paired.

Thyroid cartilage

The largest anterior cartilage of the larynx, also known as the atoms out on the mouth (Adam's apple).

Crichoid

The most inferior cartilage of the larynx.

Epiglottis

The leaf shaped cartilage that goes back and covers the larynx opening.

Hyoid

A unique bone in the neck that is not attached to any other bone.

Ranicula

Paired cartilages that are horn shaped or resemble a cornucopia.

Rittenoid

A paired cartilage that is inferior to the ranicula.

Cuneiform

Paired cartilages in the larynx visible from a lateral view.

Thymus

The gland located in the mediastinum.

Arch of the aorta

The specific portion where the aorta comes up and arches, visible on chest X-rays.

Inferior vena cava

The great vessel that drains all the blood from the lower portion of the body.

Superior vena cava

The vessel that drains all the blood from the upper part of the body.

Trachea

The airway structure located anterior to the esophagus.

Esophagus

The structure located posterior to the trachea.

Right lung lobes

The three lobes of the right lung: superior (upper), middle, and inferior (lower) lobes.

Left lung lobes

The two lobes of the left lung: superior and inferior lobes.

Diaphragm

The main muscle for respiration.

Apex

The top portion of the lung.

Base

The bottom portion of the lung.

Horizontal fissure

The deep cleft that helps divide the lobes in the right lung.

Oblique fissure

The fissure that helps divide the lungs; it is the only fissure found in the left lung.

Hylum (or Hilum)

The middle part of the lung where everything enters and exits.

Cardiac notch

The notch in the lung where the heart fits.

Lingula (or Linguala)

The inferior and medial portion of the left lung that looks like a tongue and overlaps the heart.

Right primary bronchus

The initial airway branch entering the right lung.

Parietal pleura

The outer layer of the pleural membrane that lines the wall of the cavity.

Pleural cavity

The space between the two layers of the pleural membrane.

Alveolus

A single small air sac unit in the lung.

Alveolar sac

A cluster of two or more alveoli.

Alveolar duct

The duct at the end of the terminal bronchi that leads into the alveolar sacs.