Thoracic Anatomy, Innervation, and Pulmonary Effusions Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering thoracic membranes, breast development hormones, autonomic innervation of the lungs, and pulmonary effusions from the lecture notes.

Pleura

The group of serous membranes in the thoracic cavity that surround the lungs.

Pericardium

The group of serous membranes in the thoracic cavity that surrounds the heart.

Mediastinum

The space in the thoracic cavity located between the left and right lungs.

Visceral pleura

The inner layer of the serous membrane that directly touches and covers the lung.

Parietal pleura

The outer serous membrane sac layer surrounding the lungs that is reflected back from the organ.

Pleural cavity

The extremely small space between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura that is filled with pleural fluid.

Pleural fluid

Fluid secreted by serous membranes into the pleural cavity that enables the visceral and parietal pleura to adhere to each other and keeps the lung inflated.

Estrogen

The hormone during puberty responsible for depositing adipose tissue in the breast and growing out its tubular system.

Progesterone

The hormone during pregnancy responsible for developing milk-secreting lobules in the breast.

Dual innervation

The neural regulation of an organ by both the parasympathetic and sympathetic arms of the autonomic nervous system.

Sympathetic innervation of the lungs

Autonomic regulation mediated by spinal nerves $T1$ to $T5$ that causes bronchodilation, inhibition of mucus-secreting glands, and vasoconstriction to protect the $400,000,000$ delicate alveolar capillaries from elevated blood pressure.

Vagus nerve (cranial nerve $10$)

The nerve originating from the medulla oblongata that mediates parasympathetic control of the lungs during rest and repair.

Vagal afferent

The sensory branch of the vagus nerve that monitors pain and stretching in the respiratory epithelium.

Vagal efferent

The motor branch of the vagus nerve that mediates secretomotor function (mucus release), bronchoconstriction, and vasodilation in the lungs.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the space between the visceral and parietal pleura, disrupting surface tension and causing the lung to collapse.

Sucking pneumothorax

A type of pneumothorax caused by a penetrating chest wound where air enters the pleural cavity during respiration and exits back out.

Tension pneumothorax

A surgical emergency where air enters the pleural cavity with no exit path, building intrathoracic pressure and pushing mediastinal structures toward the unaffected side.

Pleural effusion

An accumulation of fluid (blood plasma, pus, lymphatic fluid, or blood) in the pleural cavity that disrupts pleural membrane adherence and causes a collapsed lung.

Thoracentesis

A clinical procedure performed to remove accumulated fluid from the pleural cavity, staying above the ninth intercostal space to avoid damaging the liver.